27% of Zimbabwean children suffer stunted growth

At least 27% of children under the age of five in Zimbabwe suffer from stunting, a form of impaired growth caused by chronic malnutrition, poverty, and repeated infections, according to the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2023-24.

Stunting is defined as a condition where a child's height-for-age is more than two standard deviations below the World Health Organization (WHO) median standards, indicating long-term nutritional deprivation and poor development.

The ZDHS report, which surveyed over 2,800 children under five, highlights the persistent prevalence of stunting and its variation across age groups and regions. Children aged 24 to 59 months are more affected, with 29% stunted compared to 23% of children aged 0 to 23 months.

The survey found that stunting is more common among children born small at birth, with 46% of these children falling below the normal height-for-age range. Similarly, children whose mothers are underweight also face higher risks, with 36% stunted.

"Overall, 27% of children under age five are stunted, with 6% being severely stunted," the report stated. While there has been a decline in stunting from 35% in 2005-6 to 27% in 2023-24, the issue remains a major public health challenge.

The report also highlighted that 2% of children under five are wasted-an indicator of acute malnutrition-with less than 1% severely wasted.

Regional disparities are pronounced: Matebeleland South recorded the highest stunting rate at 33%, while Bulawayo had the lowest at 22%. Wasting was highest in Masvingo (3%) and lowest in Harare (0%).

Growth monitoring remains a crucial tool for early detection and intervention. The survey found that 56% of children had their weight measured by a healthcare provider in the three months before the survey, and 48% had their height or length measured. Bulawayo led with 67% of children measured, while Harare lagged at 36%.

Breastfeeding practices, vital for child nutrition, showed mixed results. Nearly all children under two (97%) were breastfed at some point, but only 67% were breastfed within one hour after birth. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first two days was reported at 83%.

"The percentage of children breastfed within one hour of birth was higher among mothers who received breastfeeding counselling during antenatal care (70%) compared to those who did not (67%) or had no antenatal care (49%)," the report noted.

The ZDHS emphasizes the importance of early breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and the introduction of safe complementary foods at six months to improve child nutrition outcomes.

This comprehensive survey sheds light on the progress made and challenges ahead in addressing child malnutrition in Zimbabwe, calling for targeted interventions to support vulnerable children and their families.