“ When I Breastfeed, It Feels as if my Soul Leaves the Body ”: Maternal Capabilities for Healthy Child Growth in Rural Southeastern Tanzania

Zaina Mchome, Sepideh Yousefzadeh, Ajay Bailey and Hinke Haisma
Additional contact information
Zaina Mchome: Population Research Centre, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 800, Landleven 1, 9747 AD Groningen, The Netherlands
Sepideh Yousefzadeh: Campus Friesland, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 3, Wirdumerdijk 34, 8911 CE Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Ajay Bailey: Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, International Development Studies, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.115, Princetonlaan 8a 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hinke Haisma: Population Research Centre, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 800, Landleven 1, 9747 AD Groningen, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: The burden of childhood stunting in Tanzania is persistently high, even in high food-producing regions. This calls for a paradigm shift in Child Growth Monitoring (CGM) to a multi-dimensional approach that also includes the contextual information of an individual child and her/his caregivers. To contribute to the further development of CGM to reflect local contexts, we engaged the Capability Framework for Child Growth (CFCG) to identify maternal capabilities for ensuring healthy child growth. Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Southeastern Tanzania using in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, participant observation, and focus group discussions with caregivers for under-fives. Three maternal capabilities for healthy child growth emerged: (1) being able to feed children, (2) being able to control and make decisions on farm products and income, and (3) being able to ensure access to medical care. Mothers’ capability to feed children was challenged by being overburdened by farm and domestic work, and gendered patterns in childcare. Patriarchal cultural norms restricted women’s control of farm products and decision-making on household purchases. The CFCG could give direction to the paradigm shift needed for child growth monitoring, as it goes beyond biometric measures, and considers mothers’ real opportunities for achieving healthy child growth.

Keywords: capability approach; capability framework for child growth; maternal capabilities; child growth; breastfeeding; growth monitoring; Tanzania; ethnography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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