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The reduction of child stunting requires an understanding of the major factors that are associated with it most especially before and during infancy of the child. This is because, the velocity of linear growth is highest during first months of life for most infants, and especially in less developed countries like Zambia. Children aged 6-23 months are usually vulnerable to stunting because of various factors such as lack of complementary foods containing the necessary nutrients during the early stages of life which leaves them vulnerable to opportunistic infections resulting in poor health outcomes and outmately stuntedness. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with stunting among children aged 6-23 months in Zambia. The study used the 2007 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey data, which had data on anthropometric measurements for both children (6-23 months) and women of child bearing age (15-49 years); and various bio-demographic and socio-economic variables. Prevalence of stunting among children 6-23 months was very high 44.5 percent p<0.001. The study further revealed that stunting was associated with various factors. Mothers age was also associated child stunting (AOR=1.756, 95%CI: 1.168, 2.641; p=0.007 and AOR=2.568, 95%CI: 1.268, 5.200; p=0.009). Children whose birth weight was small or average (AOR=1.919, 95%CI: 1.350, 2.727; p<0.001 and AOR=1.365, 95%CI: 1.090, 1.710; p=0.007) were 91.9 percent and 36.5 percent more likely to be stunted compared with children whose birth weight was large at birth. Children whose mothers had not taken iron tablets whilst pregnant (AOR=0.600, 95%CI: 0.405, 0.890; p=0.011) more likely to be stunted than those whose mothers had taken the tablets. Mother and child's IDDS were also significant predictors of stunting (AOR=1.101, 95%CI: 1.021, 1.186; p=0.012 and AOR=1.101, 95%CI: 1.021, 1.186; p<0.001). Children (6-23 months) who were not being breastfed at the time of the survey were more likely to be stunted compared to those who reported being breastfed at Journal (ISSN 2348-5140) International Journal of Advanced Nutritional and Health Science 117 the time of the survey (AOR=1.384, 95%CI: 1.067, 1.796; p=0.014). In Zambia, stunting in children aged 6-23 months is high. Stunting is significantly associated with mothers' age, Childs' birth weight, mothers taking iron tablets whilst pregnant and breastfeeding. These findings implies that, measures targeted at reducing child stunting should not be taken in isolation but should include a multifaceted approaching looking at both the mother and the children aged 6-23 months at all societal levels in the country as once this window of opportunity is lost then the problem of stunting shall continue to be a public health problem for unforeseeable future. Open Access Research Article IJANHS-An Open Access

Objectives: To measure the sex-specific and community-specific mortality rates for adults in Lusaka, Zambia, and to identify potential individuallevel, household-level and community-level correlates of premature mortality. We conducted 12 survey rounds of a population-based cross-sectional study between 2004 and 2011, and collected data via a structured interview with a household head. Primary outcome: Premature adult mortality. Results: The overall mortality rate was 16.2/1000 person-years for men and 12.3/1000 person-years for women. The conditional probability of dying between age 15 and 60 ( 45 q 15 ) was 0.626 for men and 0.537 for women. The top three causes of death for men and women were infectious in origin (ie, tuberculosis, HIV and malaria). We observed an over twofold variation of mortality rates between communities. The mortality rate was 1.98 times higher (95% CI 1.57 to 2.51) in households where a family member required nursing care, 1.44 times higher (95% CI 1.22 to 1.71) during the cool dry season, and 1.28 times higher (95% CI 1.06 to 1.54) in communities with low-cost housing.

BackgroundEven though evidence shows that fertility transition has begun almost everywhere in sub–Saharan Africa, the decline has been slower than in other parts of the world. Researchshows that there is a positive relationship between fertility levels and desired family size. Therefore, many countries in the region are implementing family planning education campaigns targeting at influencing reproductive behaviour of women. Thus,this studyaimed at examiningthe extent to which exposure to family planning communication is associated withdesired family size in adolescencein sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsThis study used data extracted fromthe most recent Demographic and Health Survey datasets for 28 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Analyses were conducted on a pooled weighted sample of 87,950female adolescents’ aged 15-19 yearscaptured in respective country surveys. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted in Stata version 16 software to examine the effects of exposure to family planning communication on adolescents desired family size.ResultsFindings show that regardless of the country,exposure to family planning communication among adolescentshad a significant effect on desire for fewer children. Average ideal family size among adolescents who had exposure to family planning communication was (3.8 children compared to 4.5 children;p<0.001) among those with no exposure.Marital status, wealth status, education level,contraceptive use and employment status were also significantly associated with adolescents’desiredfamily size.Country level differences were observed regarding desired family size among adolescents. Adolescents from West Africa Countries had higher desired family size.ConclusionExposure to family planning communication has shown the potential to influence adolescents’ fertility behavior in the region. Desire for large family size is predominantly high among adolescents from West and Central African countries. Suggesting that high fertility remains a social concern in these regions. Furthermore, the study found sub-regional variations in determinants ofdesired family size among adolescents. Calling for the need to scale-up family planning education programmes especially in West and Central Africa countries.

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