Table 2

Description of infants, their caregivers and households included in analyses

CharacteristicsM1–M18M6–M18
n714710
Infants
Female, n (%)346 (48.5)345 (48.6)
Preterm, n (%)141 (19.8)138 (19.4)
Low birth weight, n (%)67 (9.4)65 (9.2)
Birth weight (kg), n/mean (SD)714/3.08 (0.48)710/3.08 (0.48)
Small for gestational age, n (%)67 (12.8)66 (12.7)
Length-for-age Z score, n/mean (SD)
Month 1446/−0.98 (1.4)443/−0.96 (1.38)
Month 3463/−0.89 (1.23)462/−0.89 (1.22)
Month 6534/−0.95 (1.2)534/−0.95 (1.2)
Month 12559/−1.27 (1.09)559/−1.27 (1.09)
Month 18707/−1.60 (1.09)707/−1.60 (1.09)
Stunting
Month 1446/88 (19.7)443/85 (19.2)
Month 3463/72 (15.6)462/71 (15.4)
Month 6534/97 (18.2)534/97 (18.2)
Month 12559/143 (25.6)559/143 (25.6)
Month 18707/252 (35.6)707/252 (35.6)
Age at interview (days), n/mean (SD)
Month 1447/44.05 (16.52)443/44.11 (16.56)
Month 3465/109.69 (22.64)464/109.71 (22.66)
Month 6540/214.44 (47.96)540/214.44 (47.96)
Month 12559/388.82 (42.25)559/388.82 (42.25)
Month 18709/554.61 (46.92)707/554.63 (46.97)
Breastfed at M6, n (%)
No6 (0.8)6 (0.9)
Yes516 (72.3)514 (72.4)
Missing192 (26.9)190 (26.8)
Breastfed at M12, n (%)
No27 (3.8)27 (3.8)
Yes539 (75.5)537 (75.6)
Missing148 (20.7)146 (20.6)
Breastfed at M18, n (%)
No326 (45.7)324 (45.6)
Yes388 (54.3)386 (54.4)
Mothers
Age (years), n/mean (SD)714/26.4 (6.6)710/26.4 (6.6)
Height (cm), n/mean (SD)714/160.38 (6.49)710/160.45 (6.33)
Education, n (%)
Some primary123 (17.2)120 (16.9)
Some secondary262 (36.7)262 (36.9)
Completed secondary329 (46.1)328 (46.2)
Married, n (%)675 (94.5)671 (94.5)
Employed outside home*, n (%)45 (6.3)45 (6.3)
Parity, n (%)
Parous439 (61.5)437 (61.6)
Nulliparous86 (12.0)85 (12.0)
Missing189 (26.5)188 (26.5)
HIV negative, n (%)613 (85.9)609 (85.8)
Religion, n (%)
Apostolic347 (48.6)344 (48.5)
Other Christian320 (44.8)319 (44.9)
Other religion47 (6.6)47 (6.6)
Depression score*†, n/median (IQR)701/1 (4)697/1 (4)
Mothering self-efficacy*‡, n/mean (SD)699/4.0 (0.42)695/4.0 (0.42)
Meet diet diversity*, n (%)127 (18.0)127 (18.1)
Interview at baseline (pregnancy period), n (%)
January–March255 (35.7)254 (35.8)
April–June154 (21.6)153 (21.6)
July–September149 (20.9)148 (20.9)
October–December156 (21.9)155 (21.8)
Households
No of members, n/median (IQR)714/5 (3)710/5 (3)
SES, n (%)
Lower248 (34.7)246 (34.7)
Middle229 (32.1)229 (32.3)
Upper237 (33.2)235 (33.1)
Improved latrine, n (%)237 (33.2)236 (33.2)
Residence, n (%)
Chirumanzu335 (46.9)332 (46.8)
Shurugwi379 (53.1)378 (53.2)
MHFI§, n/median (IQR)
Poor food access714/−0.54 (1.08)710/−0.54 (1.08)
Household shocks714/−0.08 (1.16)710/−0.08 (1.16)
Low food availability and quality714/−0.12 (1.50)710/−0.12 (1.50)
MHWI§, n/median (IQR)
Poor water access714/−0.49 (1.38)710/−0.49 (1.38)
Poor water quality714/−0.44 (2.10)710/−0.44 (2.10)
Low water reliability714/−0.35 (0.29)710/−0.35 (0.29)
  • All variables were reported or measured at baseline (during pregnancy) unless otherwise stated.

  • *Variables with <5% missing.

  • †Measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (score: 0–30).

  • ‡Mothering self-efficacy measured using questions adapted from the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale and Parenting Self-Agency Measure (score: 0–5).

  • §Higher scores on dimensions of MHFI and MHWI indicate higher insecurity.

  • MHFI, multidimensional household food insecurity; MHWI, multidimensional household water insecurity; SES, socioeconomic status.