The health and nutrition survey was conducted between June 1, 2009 and June 7, 2009 in San Jose de Cusmapa and the surrounding communities. The survey was administered to sampled households where at least one child under 5 lived. The survey consisted of questions addressing the socioeconomic conditions of the family and the level of health and nutrition of the youngest child. The majority of homes surveyed were constructed from adobe (77%) and did not have electricity (80%). Families obtained water from taps, communal wells, or the river.
Most of the mothers reported that they could read (78%) but most did not complete primary school. Distance to the health center ranged from 15 minutes in San Jose de Cusmapa to over 4 hours in the outlying communities. Many mothers in the communities gave birth in the home. Despite the distance to the health center, most children under 5 were up to date on vaccinations and most mothers received adequate prenatal care. Almost all children were breastfed at some point in their lives, and many mothers reported exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. However, children’s diets beyond that point lacked variety and consisted almost entirely of beans, tortillas, and cuajada.
On average, children under five were both underweight for their age and short for their age according to the World Health Organization reference population. However, children tended to weigh the expected amount for their height.
The prevalence of children under 5 reporting a cough in the previous two weeks was 42%. Twenty percent of children had experienced diarrhea in the previous two weeks and 17% had experienced fever in the previous two weeks. Fifty-six percent of families surveyed reported at least one child under five participating in an educational program.
For more information or complete results, please e-mail me at mzelek@fabretto.org.ni
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