Variations in interdistrict nutritional status have puzzled
both social policy makers and health workers in Botswana.
A total of 643 households and 898 pre-school children
were surveyed to determine factors that are associated
with the nutritional status of children below the age of
®ve years in the north-western District of Chobe. Except
for those in remote and difficult-to-reach places, all households
with a pre-school child were selected for the study.
The results showed that the nutritioneal status of the preschool
children had a strong positive correlation with access
to a latrine (r = 0.52) and ownership of cattle (r = 0.27).
Age was negatively correlated with the child's nutritional
status (r = ± 0.02