Title: Maternal-child health in Zimbabwe.

POPLINE Document Number: 133169

Author(s):

Mattson S

Source citation:

HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL, 1998 May-Jun;19(3):231-42.

Abstract:

Maternal and child health (MCH) needs in Zimbabwe, existing health care delivery services designed to meet those needs, and the activities and findings of an Earthwatch project to identify and train community peer counselors at Berejena Mission, Masvingo Province, to improve the nutrition and health status of families, especially women and infants, are described. Earthwatch is a worldwide volunteer organization. A longstanding drought has left many women and children in Zimbabwe malnourished. Poor nutrition affects women, pregnancy outcomes, and developing children over both the short and long terms. Major problems which contribute to maternal-child morbidity and mortality in the area include nutritional deficiencies, lack of safe water, and unmet need for family planning. Earlier surveys of maternal nutrition consistently showed iron deficiency, goiters, underweight, and inadequate nutrient intake to be highly prevalent. On the basis of previous assessments, the project focused upon teaching the community health workers how to help families with nutritional deficiencies, family planning, and hygiene needs.

Keywords:

Zimbabwe
Maternal-Child Health Services
Nongovernmental Organizations
Community Workers
Deficiency Diseases
Family Planning
Hygiene
Needs
Water Supply
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Organizations
Health Personnel
Nutrition Disorders
Diseases
Public Health
Economic Factors
Natural Resources
Environment