To study changes over time in reproductive health and living conditions of women in a rural setting in Zimbabwe, 12 villages were selected at random in the Gutu district, Masvingo province. During two study periods in 1992 and 1993, 1,213 women of fertile age (15-44 years) were interviewed and examined. Median age at menarche was 15 years, with a decrease of 0.4 years from the oldest to the youngest age group. There has been no increase in the mean height of women, indicating no change in determinants of nutritional status of girls in childhood and adolescence. Younger women still marry at a median age of 19 years but prefer smaller families. Level of education is the main determinant for age at marriage and preferred family size. A low prevalence of primary (1%) as well as secondary infertility (4%) was found in spite of the currently reported high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in Zimbabwe.
PIP: This study examines reproductive health and anthropometry among a sample of women in rural Zimbabwe. Interviews, laboratory tests, and physical examinations were conducted among 351 women during the drought period of March-June 1992 and among 862 women during March-December 1993. All women 15-44 years old from 12 villages were included. The median age was 26 years. 66% were married, and 9% were in a polygamous union. Over 66% were housewives, and most of the rest were dependents in school or women staying with relatives. Only 4% had regular income. 50% of women in male-headed households worked outside the home for cash income. 50% of husbands who reported income (275 families) kept their own income private. Attainment of 7 years of education was only 7% among women 35-44 years old, 31% among women 25-34 years old, and 54% among women 15-24 years old. 96% lived in brick houses. Only 2% had piped water. 29% had no toilet at all. 4% had access to a tractor or car. 27% had a bicycle. The women differed little in height by age (about a centimeter between the youngest and oldest women). Weight increased by 6 kg between the same age groups. Arm circumference increased by 3 cm. Girls 15-19 years old were 159.6 cm tall, weighed 56 kg, and had an arm circumference of 25 cm. Women younger than 25 years had an earlier age at menarche (around 14 years). The proportion divorced was highest among women 25-29 years old. 13% of girls 15-19 years old were married. The median age at first marriage was 19 years. 324 women had never been pregnant, of whom 302 were single. Primary infertility was 1%, and secondary infertility was 4%. 4% had a child before marriage. 88% had a child within the first 2 years of marriage. The mean number of children was 4.0. Educated women and younger cohorts desired smaller families.