Malnutrion and social -economic development in Rwanda A case study of Ngororero District

Abstract

Malnutrition affects all development sectors and has high social and economic costs such as increased mortality and morbidity, loss of human potential, chronic infection, decrease in skills and intelligence, lower productivity and finally poverty. Malnutrition can seriously jeopardize the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. That is why the fight against malnutrition is therefore of high priority. This study was guided by three objectives and three questions. The purpose of this study was to determine socio-economic development factors which predispose children to malnutrition in ngororero District and it had three specific objectives namely to identify the causes of malnutrition; to examine the level of malnutrition and to assess the effects of malnutrition on Socio-economic development in Ngororero District. This study provided answers to three important questions. Firstly, what are the causes of malnutrition in Ngororero District? Secondly, what is the level of malnutrition in Ngororero District? Thirdly, what are the effects of malnutrition on Socio-economic development of Ngororero District? This study used purposive sampling technique, as well as other techniques such as observation, interview and use of questionnaires, to collect primary data, while books and documentaries were used to collect secondary data. In the one sector selected randomly, a sample size of 297 households was used. The analysis was done with a statistical software package of Microsoft Excel and discussions were based on two steps namely, analyzing the causes of infant malnutrition in Ngororero District and assess the effects it has on socio-economic development by taking into consideration different strategies which are already put in place, as well as other interventions for wealth creation. During this research, it was found out that majority of the respondents were women, their level of education was low, majority were single women who cannot afford enough quality food for their children. This study unlocked the nexus between government rural development policies and specific development challenges as perceived by the rural community in Ngororero District. This is not to undermine the policies already put in place by the government. Rather the findings of this study emphasized on the importance of adopting appropriate and affordable policies and strategies in a coherent and timely manner for the benefit of the current and future generations of the people of Ngororero District.