Association between depression in carers and malnutrition in children aged 6 months to 5 years

Authors: Keneilwe Motlhatlhedi, Vincent Setlhare, Adewale B.Ganiyu, Jacqueline A. Firth

Childhood malnutrition is an important risk factor for child mortality and underlies close to 50% of child deaths worldwide.1,2 Reducing the prevalence of malnutrition may contribute to the success of child survival strategies.2 In order to curb the high prevalence of malnutrition, it is important to identify and address all factors that contribute to poor child nutrition. Depression, one of the most prevalent mental illnesses, is more common in women of child-bearing age,3 and maternal depression has been linked to poor child growth outcomes in developing countries.4,5 Globally, an estimated 350 million people suffer from depression with higher prevalence in lowand middle-income countries. A South African study estimated depression prevalence rates of 9.7%, while two studies in Botswana found depression prevalence of 25% and 31%. Both studies in Botswana may be an overestimation of the population prevalence of depression in the country as they were done in high HIV prevalence settings and HIV is associated with higher depression levels.6,7 Inclusion of mental health screening of PCGs could help develop more efficacious child nutrition programmes and identify children at higher risk of poor outcomes.

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