STUNTING AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN ETHIOPIAN AND ZAMBIAN CHILDREN

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether children who are malnourished/stunted are more likely to have experienced infectious disease. METHODS: 6th and 7th students (n=546) were interviewed about health history and assessed using anthropometry. RESULTS: Children who are short for their age also have higher rates of stunting. Malaria is the most experienced infectious disease. CONCLUSIONS: Given that malaria was the most common infectious disease experience listed among middle school children, and that those who have experienced disease are more likely to be stunted, increased malaria prevention methods may improve the long-term health of Ethiopian and Zambian schoolchildren