Nutritional status of preschool children in Haiti related to mother's participation in women's groups

Children from Haiti face an uncertain future given the political, socioeconomic and environmental hardships. A study to determine the nutritional status of 24–60 month old children in the Maissade Commune, Central Plateau Department was completed from November 1997 to March 1998. A survey was administered to 554 households in which mothers were paired according to their participation in women's groups (participant versus non-participant). Agricultural, economic, social and nutritional information about the household and index child was collected. A clinic examination included physical and eye exams, morbidity history and plasma blood collection. Vitamin A, β-carotene and ferritin levels were determined for 229 children.; Growth faltering was widely prevalent in this study. Fifty-three percent of the preschool children were stunted (below −2Z scores for height for age). Children of nonparticipants were significantly more stunted than children of participants. Wasting (low weight for height) was found in 5.56% of the children. Arm circumference measures were significantly different between groups of children. Over 16% of the children of nonparticipants had arm circumference measures of 13.5 cm or less compared to 10% of children of participants.; Fifty-eight percent of the children had marginal vitamin A status (<20 μg/dL) and 34% had severely deficient vitamin A status (<10μg/dL) despite vitamin A capsule supplementation rates exceeding 50% coverage. Ferritin levels were below 12 ng/dL in 20% of this population. Morbidity indices were not significantly associated with micronutrient levels. Environmental variables, which would impact morbidity (water source, latrine source), were not significantly associated with morbidity or micronutrient indices.; Preschool children of Haitian mothers who participated in a women's group demonstrated healthier growth parameters than the non-participants. Differences between the participant and non-participants in women's groups which may influence this difference included literacy rates, educational level and socioeconomic status. Education was found to explain much of the difference between the groups. It is clear is that women's groups are a viable community organization in the Central Department of Haiti which can contribute to improved nutritional status of children, possibly mediated by increased literacy.