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Rainfall and birthweight distribution in rural Tanzania

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Han Bantje  and
Rudo Niemeyer
Han Bantje
Affiliation:
Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Rudo Niemeyer
Affiliation:
Africa Studies Centre, Leyden, The Netherlands
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Summary

Seasonal variations in birthweights over a 10-year period are compared with the local rainfall pattern in a rural area of Tanzania. Mean birthweight falls by about 60 g in the course of the rainy season. Lagged regression analysis reveals a negative impact of rainfall on birthweight after 3 months. Deviations from average rainfall show a positive correlation with birthweight after 4 months, but only in the months when rainfall is critical for food crop production. The interactions of these contrary effects are held responsible for the sudden fluctuations in mean birthweight that were observed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , July 1984 , pp. 375 - 384
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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