Child feeding practices in a rural area of Zimbabwe

This paper reports preliminary results from a study of child feeding practices in a rural area of Zimbabwe. Although Zimbabwe has relatively low infant mortality rates, it still has high child malnutrition rates. Several factors, including sex roles and relations between the sexes, access to resources, food costs and availability, time and energy costs of food production and preparation, and illness beliefs and practices, especially those concerning diarrhea and malnutrition, are examined as possible determinants of feeding practices and nutritional and health status. Results are compared to reports made by the World Bank and the Zimbabwe national nutrition survey. Whereas the World Bank report suggests a problem of late introduction of breastmilk supplements or solids, we found the opposite tendency of early introduction (by 3 months) of supplements. We suggest that mothers' pragmatic attitudes, interacting with certain social, cultural, and economic variables, are important factors influencing their child feeding decisions, especially resisting the use of commercial infant formula, at least in this rural area, and promoting prolonged breastfeeding.infant feeding nutrition Zimbabwe sex roles

Socio-demographic characteristics of study participants.

<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of study participants.</p

Values and Development in Southern Africa

Chapter One is the introduction that is meant to present the main issues without too much debate on the merits of this or that way of formulating the case and giving some perspective on where the project fits in a bigger scheme of things. Chapter Two of the book deals with matters that have been dealt with in a very simple and unqualified manner in the introduction. It makes the case for the Southern African region as unit of analysis with reference to the interwoven nature of geo-political and economic dynamics of the region as well as its historical and cultural linkages. It then defines what we mean by social and cultural values and by the notions of development and poverty. Of course, we need to take a position on these matters as there is a plethora of definitions and approaches in these fields. We then set out the objectives of the study in a slightly more structured and argued manner than in the introduction and specify areas of concentration. We also deal with methodological issues that relate to our task in some detail as the comparative method is a reasoned mode of operation in our case – even if we understand and explain the limitations thereof. Chapters One and Two also form the first section of the book as we thought it sensible to divide the book into three main sections. The first section sets the scene, the second reflects theoretically and the third attempts to explore the theoretical concepts empirically. The theoretical section comprises two chapters: the first locating the issue of culture in development literature generally and the second proposing content to the cultural dimensions that are at stake in development

Praying until Death: Apostolicism, Delays and Maternal Mortality in Zimbabwe.

Religion affects people's daily lives by solving social problems, although it creates others. Female sexual and reproductive health are among the issues most affected by religion. Apostolic sect members in Zimbabwe have been associated with higher maternal mortality. We explored apostolic beliefs and practices on maternal health using 15 key informant interviews in 5 purposively selected districts of Zimbabwe. Results show that apostolicism promotes high fertility, early marriage, non-use of contraceptives and low or non-use of hospital care. It causes delays in recognizing danger signs, deciding to seek care, reaching and receiving appropriate health care. The existence of a customized spiritual maternal health system demonstrates a huge desire for positive maternal health outcomes among apostolics. We conclude that apostolic beliefs and practices exacerbate delays between onset of maternal complications and receiving help, thus increasing maternal risk. We recommend complementary and adaptive approaches that address the maternal health needs of apostolics in a religiously sensitive manner

The Impact of Family Planning on Women's Lives: Findings from the Women's Studies Project in Mali and Zimbabwe

This paper reports on the findings of the Women's Studies Project, a five-year research effort conducted by Family Health International and designed to study the impact of family planning on women's lives. Twenty-six field studies were conducted in ten countries, including the sub-Sahara countries of Mali and Zimbabwe. In Mali, researchers looked at the experiences of first-time contraceptive users and factors that influence decisions to continue or discontinue methods, including spousal approval. In Zimbabwe, studies focused on family planning as a factor in women's participation in the country's economic development process. Researchers concluded that daftly planning is one of many strategies women can use to exercise autonomy in their lives. However, negative consequences of contraceptive use, such as community disapproval or husband's opposition may discourage women from taking control of their fertility. (Afr J Reprod Health 1999:3 [1]: 27-38) Key Words: Family planning, women's lives, Mali, Zimbabw

Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents.

<p>Socio-demographic Characteristics of Respondents.</p