Mozambique

The Problem

  • Vitamin A deficiency is a national problem in Mozambique, with a prevalence of almost 70% in the provinces of Manica, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala and Zambézia where HKI works.
  • 74% of children under five and 48% of women of childbearing age in Mozambique are anemic, indicating that many girls risk entering their first pregnancy without sufficient iron.
  • Trachoma is a public health problem; 40% of children under 9 years old have active infections and 4% of adults have trichiasis, the blinding stage of the infection.

What HKI Is Doing

Helen Keller International began working in Mozambique in 1997; current programs include:

Vitamin A Supplementation
Working with our partners, Helen Keller International has taken a leadership role in helping the Ministry of Health (MISAU) provide vitamin A supplementation (VAS). In 2004, HKI piloted the first vitamin A supplementation program for children 6-59 months. Last year, HKI worked in five provinces in the country and reached 85% of the target population or almost 2 million children aged 6–59 months.

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Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato
HKI and our partners introduced a new variety of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes (OFSP) that is hardy, tasty and have high vitamin A content. HKI promotes the production and consumption of this nutritional food, and provides information and training to communities about basic nutrition and improved feeding practices. In 2008, our program, which operate in three districts of Zambézia Province and in selected areas in the districts of Guro, Milange and Nicoadala, reached over 15,000 households.

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Anemia Control
In 2002, Helen Keller International initiated a pilot project to deliver weekly iron folic supplements and nutrition education through the schools, as part of our anemia control efforts. After achieving initial success in 12 schools, the project expanded to 56 schools. In addition, last year, in the provinces of Manica, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala and Zambezia, HKI provided almost 1,250,000 children under 5 with de-worming treatment, which helps prevent anemia.

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Trachoma Control
A trachoma study HKI conducted in 2001, which was Mozambique's first population-based survey, in three districts in Manica Province indicated that trachoma was a public health problem with 40% of children under 9 years old with active infections and 4% of adults over the age of 45 with trichiasis, the blinding stage of the infection. HKI's School Health programs are offered in the Gondola and Guro Districts of Manica Province and in the Manhiça district of Maputo Province. These programs train teachers about trachoma control, promote face-washing and the utilization of latrines. Last year, the program was active in 165 schools with a total of 87,245 students.

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School Health
HKI began our school health programs in 2000. We are currently implementing an integrated school health program that offers a package of activities that address nutrition, control of several parasitic diseases, eye health (specifically trachoma control) and other issues appropriate to the local context.  The program increases school children’s knowledge of relevant health issues, promotes healthy behaviors, and reaches out to the greater community to extend its benefits. 

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