Senegal is a semi-arid Sahelian nation of 8.2 million inhabitants. Population is growing at the rate of 2.8 percent per annum and population density is estimated to be 39 per sq. km. The country is predominantly rural with limited natural resources. Economic growth is constrained by dependence on a few export commodities (especially groundnuts, phosphates, and fishery products). Recent currency devaluation brought widespread hardship, for example through price rises.
Recent Trends in Nutrition
Although Senegal has one of the better situations in nutrition in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, the prevalence of underweight children (below -2 s.d. weight-for-age NCHS) is estimated (for 0-59 months old children) to have increased to the 1992 level of 20.1% from 17.5% in 1986. The nutrition survey in 1986 assisted by DHS (covering children 0-36 months) can also be compared with the same age group in a second DHS-assisted survey in 1992/93. This indicates an increase in underweight prevalence from 21.6% in 1986 to 23.5% in 1992/93 (among 0-36 month-old children).
The rural areas of the country have nearly 70% higher prevalence of underweight children compared to urban areas (25% vs. 15%). A regional breakdown of underweight prevalences for 1992/93 (Figure 1) shows substantial variability by area, with the Western region having considerably lower prevalence (15%) than other regions (22 - 25%).
Factors Affecting Trends in Nutrition
Economic Trends. In 1993 per capita GNP was estimated at U.S.$730. Annual per capita GDP growth during 1986-93 was -0.9%. An economic downturn occurred after 1990.
The economy is highly vulnerable to weather changes and adverse movements in international commodity markets, and is heavily dependent on external funding. Most of Senegal is in the Sahelian zone and has irregular and uncertain rainfall with generally poor soils. Agriculture is the primary source of income for most of the population. Millet and sorghum are produced as the primary subsistence foods and groundnuts are the primary commercial crop. Cowpea is also grown for subsistence.
Figure 1. Senegal: Prevalence of Underweight Children, (0-59 months), 1992/93
Source: MEF/DHS 1994.The regions facing the sea are dependent on fisheries, which in fact accounts for the biggest source of its export earnings (roughly $217 million in 1991). Groundnut products are the country's second most important source of foreign exchange. Groundnut production accounts for around 40 percent of cultivated land (taking up two million hectares) and provides employment for as many as a million people. Technical, institutional, and environmental factors are the main factors in restricting the agricultural sector from becoming more competitive and productive.
Food Security. Senegal is a food-deficit country. In the 1993/94 crop season for example, the cereal production of about one million MT was not be enough for the domestic requirement of about 1.7 million MT. Most of the 0.7 million MT is met by commercial imports (mostly of wheat and rice), with a small portion from food aid.
The food production index (base year 1979-81=100) was 110 in 1993 as compared to 100 in the previous year. Total food aid was estimated to be 53 thousand MT in 1993, and is expected to increase for 1994.
SENEGAL
(Estimates in 1993)
|
Population |
: 8.2 million |
|
Population Density |
: 39 per sq. km. |
|
Population Growth Rate |
: 3% per annum |
|
Urban Population |
: 41% |
|
IMR |
: 63 |
|
GNP US$ (Per Capita) |
: 730 |
|
PPP estimates of GDP |
: 1680 |
Underweight preschool children (Percent below -2 s.d. weight for age)
Infant mortality rate (Per 1,000 live births)
ECONOMICS
GDP per capita (1987 Mkt. prices, CFA Francs / capita)
Debt service ratio (Debt service/exports)
FOOD
Food production index (Per caput, 1979-81=100)
Dietary energy supply (Kcals/caput/day)
Consumer price index (1980=100)
FPI/CPI ratio (1980=100)
HEALTH
Immunization coverage (Percent)
Access to local health care (Percent)
PUBLIC EXPENDITURES
Education and health expenditures (US $ per capita)
Education and health expenditures (Percent of government expenditures)
Estimated per caput consumption of cereals is 187 kg. per year and the share of cereals in total calorie intake is 61 percent. Per capita calorie supply has been erratic since 1986, falling from high levels of 2523 in 1985, to around 2300 in the early 1990s.
Education, Health, Women's Status. Health service provision in the country is limited. The most recently available data shows that around 40% of the population had access to health services and only 20% of mothers had access to antenatal care from clinics. About 3% of the national budget goes to health care, which is lower than average for the region. Senegal's population is growing fast and putting an adverse impact on the environment and overall economy. Overall enrollment increased by one-third among the first and the second halves of the 1980s, with female enrollment more than male. The government allocates about 17% of the national budget to education. Enrollment ratio of primary education is estimated to be 58 percent.
Average life expectancy has increased from 45 in the early 80s to about 47 in the recent years. Infant mortality has decreased from around 120 in the early 80s to 63 in the 1992. Primary health care has been expanded and there is change in allocation of resources for health care from urban to rural areas. Immunization coverage of infants has been declining in the last few years. In 1988 coverages for measles vaccination was at 70% and fell to about 59% in 1992.
