Table 1 Summary of perceived causes, symptoms, and management of child health problems associated with undernutrition
Illness | Perceived cause | Described symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
Kwashiorkor | Primary causes: | • Swollen/protruding belly • Swollen eyes and cheeks • Thin or emaciated limbs • Reddish/brown thinning hair • Wrinkled or dry skin • Peeling skin • Weak and shrivelled • General poor health | • Primarily food-based • Buy medicine • Attend health facility |
• Food deficiency/lack of food diversity • Insufficient or early cessation of breastfeeding | |||
Other causes: | |||
• Poor child spacing • Child’s inherent vulnerability • Intestinal worms • Blood deficiency | |||
Kirwa | Either: | • Thin and emaciated • Dry and wrinkled skin • Weak and of general poor health • Folds or crosses their arms • Holds their chin (kushika tama) | Traditional treatment |
• Sexual transgression by parent during mother’s pregnancy or • Food deficiency | |||
Lugwizo | Poor child spacing thus: | • Swollen cheeks • Reddish hair • Wrinkled skin • General poor health • Inability to walk • Constant diarrhoea | Food-based |
• Early cessation of breastfeeding or • Breastfeeding from pregnant mother |