Malnutrition is a significant problem in parts of Papua New Guinea, including the Lower Jimi Valley. There is evidence of specific nutritional deficiencies, such as endemic cretinism, but this study focused on protein-energy malnutrition. It found that, in the 1-4 year old population of three remote villages in the Jimi, only 26% were nutritionally normal, 65% were stunted, 7% were wasted and 2% were stunted and wasted. With respect to weight for age, 16% were 80-100% weight for age, 77% were 60-80% and 7% were < 60%. These figures are considerably higher than those of the National Nutrition Survey of 1982-1983; although the Survey data originated from the entire Jimi District rather than only the villages in this study, these findings suggest that malnutrition is a significant and worsening problem in the Lower Jimi Valley.
Valley ; Lower ; Malnutrition ; Papua New Guinea ; Western Herbs and Botanicals

A previous study that we carried out confirmed that malnutrition is a problem amongst the young child population in the Lower Jimi Valley. This study begins to explore the cultural and traditional food beliefs in order to target the interventions of health services in reducing childhood malnutrition. The study was undertaken during maternal and child health clinics conducted on a foot patrol from Koinambe Health Centre in the villages of Kompiai, Komengwai, Kupeng, Injim and Kwiama. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with small groups of women to uncover beliefs regarding nutrition and feeding during pregnancy, infancy and childhood. This study has highlighted practices that nutritionally disadvantage young children. The four most significant are late weaning, restriction of foods, infrequency of feeding and the low priority given to children during meal times. It is suggested that it is the use, control and distribution of food, rather than its shortage, that contribute most significantly to the problem of childhood malnutrition in this area.
Food ; Valley ; Lower ; Childhood ; Malnutrition