Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional situation of recent migrants in 3 selected small towns in Mpanda district, Katavi region, Tanzania. The study focused on recent migrants who have stayed in the study area for 3 to 36 months. Cross-sectional design was used in a sample of 348 randomly selected respondents, whereby a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Nutrition status of adults as well as that of underfive children were assessed whereby anthropometric measurements were employed. Body Mass Index (BMI) was used for adults with WHO’s criteria while WHO Anthro software was applied to assess the children. Breastfeeding practices were also investigated among the respondents. P-value of 0.05 or less was used in establishing levels of statistical significance. The results showed that 20.4% of adults were generally overweight or obese, and there was no significant difference between men and women. Stunting rate of children below five years of age was 45.1%, which is higher than both averages for Tanzania and Katavi region. Majority of mothers (85.1% and 77.3%) fed colostrum and used exclusive breastfeeding respectively. Local beliefs and taboos caused few mothers not to breastfeed as recommended. The most affected stage (age categories) of children of below five years of age by stunting is soon after 6 months, which implies that complementary foods introduced to children are probably poor in nutrients. It is therefore important to improve complementary feeding coupled with good maternal and child care practices and good hygienic conditions. Male children appear to be more prone to both stunting and underweight than female children. Also, children in Majalila small town appear to be more vulnerable to underweight than in Ikola town. Further studies are recommended to seek explanation for the observed differences. It is recommended that researchers and policy makers should pay special attention to small emerging urban centres as they appear to be different from typical rural areas, which they are very often generalized.
