Determinants of action against malnutrition in under five children

This journal focuses on the determinants of action against malnutrition among children under age 5 years in Kasama district, northern Zambia. Several studies have been documented to determine lay perceptions, beliefs, and cultural practices that contribute to malnutrition among children under age 5 years, the impact of maternal child health services on protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) among children and interventions against malnutrition. Results show that rural areas have higher rates of under-nutrition than urban areas with 46% and 35% stunting rates, respectively. 1 in 4 rural children are underweight, while 7% are wasted. Cultural perceptions, beliefs and practices were based on local understanding of causes and effects, presented as 10 explanatory models for kwashiorkor and 3 explanatory models for marasmus. Meanwhile, findings also indicate that interventions that would make an impact on PEM include screening and treatment of infections, measures to prevent interruption of breast-feeding, strategies to increase frequency of child feeding in a day and measures to enhance household food security.