FIRST NAME(s): ……………………………………………………………………..
SURNAME: ……………………………………………………………………………
CANDIDATE NUMBER: …………………………………………………………….
SCHOOL: GLEN VIEW 8 PRIMARY SCHOOL
CENTRE NUMBER: ………………………………………………………………….
GRADE: 6 ……………………………………………………………………………….
PROJECT TITLE: THE EXTENT OF DEFICIENCY DISEASES IN GLEN VIEW 8
COMMUNITY
SUBJECT AREA: SCIENCE
TEACHER’S NAME: ……………………………………………………………………
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
This project explores deficiency diseases in the Glen View 8 community, a residential area in
Harare, Zimbabwe, focusing on their causes, prevalence, and impact on health. Deficiency
diseases, caused by a lack of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, affect many
communities, particularly in areas with limited access to nutritious food. This project aligns
with the Grade 6 science curriculum, emphasizing human health, nutrition, and disease
prevention, while fostering scientific inquiry and community awareness.
Problem Description
In Glen View 8, many families face challenges accessing balanced diets due to poverty,
unemployment, and limited food availability. This leads to deficiency diseases such as scurvy
(vitamin C deficiency), rickets (vitamin D deficiency), and anemia (iron deficiency), which
impact children’s growth, learning, and overall health. Lack of awareness about proper
nutrition and limited healthcare access worsen the situation. Addressing these issues through
education and practical solutions could improve community health.
Statement of Intent
I plan to investigate the extent of deficiency diseases in Glen View 8 by researching their
causes, prevalence, and effects, and conducting interviews and surveys within the
community. The project will culminate in a “Healthy Nutrition Awareness Campaign” to
educate students and families about preventing deficiency diseases through affordable,
nutrient-rich foods and health practices. The campaign will include educational materials and
a school event to promote awareness.
Design Specifications
The final campaign must:
Identify at least three deficiency diseases common in Glen View 8.
Include an educational event to teach about nutrition and disease prevention.
Use engaging materials (e.g., posters, models) to raise awareness.
Propose practical solutions for improving nutrition in Glen View 8 homes or schools.
Align with Grade 6 science curriculum goals on health and nutrition.
Project Aims
By the end of the project, I aim to:
Understand the prevalence and causes of deficiency diseases in Glen View 8.
Educate my peers and community about preventing deficiency diseases.
Propose affordable, practical solutions to improve nutrition and reduce disease
incidence.
Present findings through a science-based awareness campaign.
CHAPTER TWO: RESEARCH ON DEFICIENCY DISEASES
Overview of Deficiency Diseases
Deficiency diseases occur when the body lacks essential nutrients, leading to health
problems. Common deficiency diseases in Zimbabwe include:
Scurvy: Caused by a lack of vitamin C, found in fruits like oranges and guavas.
Symptoms include bleeding gums, fatigue, and slow wound healing.
Rickets: Caused by vitamin D or calcium deficiency, common in children, leading to
weak bones, bowed legs, and stunted growth.
Anaemia: Caused by iron deficiency, resulting in tiredness, pale skin, and reduced
energy, often due to diets low in iron-rich foods like spinach or meat.
Causes and Risk Factors
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition affects over 27% of
children under five in Zimbabwe, with poverty limiting access to diverse foods. In urban
areas like Glen View 8, reliance on starchy diets e.g., sadza with few vegetables or proteins
increases deficiency risks. Lack of nutrition education and healthcare access further
compounds the issue.
Local Context
A 2023 report by the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care notes that 23% of
children in Harare’s high-density suburbs, like Glen View, show signs of malnutrition, with
anaemia and vitamin A deficiency being prevalent. Community health programs, such as
those by UNICEF, promote fortified foods and supplements, but awareness remains low, and
economic challenges limit their reach.
Global Examples
In India, school feeding programs provide iron-fortified meals to combat anaemia, reducing
its prevalence by 15% in targeted areas. In Nigeria, vitamin A supplementation campaigns
have lowered deficiency rates among children by 20%. These examples suggest that
community education and affordable food interventions could help Glen View 8 address
deficiency diseases.
CHAPTER THREE: DATA COLLECTION
Methodology
To investigate the extent of deficiency diseases in Glen View 8, I used the following
methods:
Interviews: Conducted semi-structured interviews with:
A science teacher at my school.
The school nurse.
Two community health workers.
Five parents (three women, two men).
Ten community members (five adults, five children).
Surveys: Distributed a questionnaire to 20 Grade 6 classmates to assess their
knowledge of deficiency diseases and nutrition.
Observations: Visited local markets to observe available foods and their affordability.
Interview Process
Science Teacher: Interviewed on May 10, 2025, at school. Questions focused on
common deficiency diseases, their causes, and prevention methods.
School Nurse: Interviewed on May 12, 2025, at the school clinic. Asked about health
issues observed in students and nutrition advice given.
Community Health Workers: Interviewed on May 15, 2025, at Glen View 8 clinic.
Questions covered disease prevalence, community diet trends, and health
interventions.
Parents and Community Members: Conducted interviews between May 16-20, 2025,
at homes and community centers. Asked about diet, health challenges, and awareness
of deficiency diseases.
Data Collection Steps
Prepared open-ended questions for interviews to gather detailed insights.
Designed a simple survey with 10 questions (e.g., “Do you know what causes
anaemia?” “What foods do you eat daily?”.
Visited Glen View 8 market on May 18, 2025, to note available foods (e.g.,
vegetables, fruits, proteins) and their prices.
Recorded responses manually and organized them into categories (e.g., disease
awareness, dietary habits).
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS
Interview Findings
Science Teacher: Noted that anaemia and vitamin A deficiency are common among
students, linked to diets heavy in maize meal with few vegetables. Suggested school
gardens to teach students about growing nutrient-rich foods.
School Nurse: Reported that 30% of students show signs of fatigue or poor growth,
likely due to iron or vitamin deficiencies. Recommended nutrition education for
parents.
Community Health Workers: Confirmed that anaemia affects about 25% of children
in Glen View 8, with scurvy and rickets less common but present. Cited poverty and
lack of awareness as major barriers to healthy diets.
Parents: Three parents reported frequent tiredness in their children, unaware it could
be anaemia. Most rely on sadza and vegetables due to limited income; fruits are rarely
affordable.
Community Members: Adults mentioned occasional dizziness or weakness, possibly
linked to poor nutrition. Children were unfamiliar with deficiency diseases but
expressed interest in learning about healthy foods.
Market Observations
Local markets offer vegetables like covo (kale) and tomatoes, but prices (e.g.,
$0.50/kg for tomatoes) are high for low-income families.
Fruits like oranges or guavas are seasonal and cost $1 for a small bundle, limiting
access.
Protein sources (e.g., beans, magenta fish) are available but less common due to cost.
Analysis
Deficiency diseases, particularly anaemia, are prevalent in Glen View 8 due to
reliance on starchy diets and limited access to fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
Awareness of deficiency diseases and their prevention is low among students and
adults, highlighting the need for education.
Economic constraints make nutrient-rich foods less accessible, suggesting a need for
affordable solutions like home gardens or fortified foods.
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusion
This project investigated the extent of deficiency diseases in Glen View 8, identifying
anaemia, scurvy, and rickets as key health concerns driven by poor nutrition and low
awareness. Interviews and surveys revealed that limited income and knowledge restrict
access to balanced diets, with 25% of children showing signs of anaemia and low
fruit/vegetable consumption. The proposed “Healthy Nutrition Awareness Campaign” will
address these issues through a school-based science fair, educating students and the
community about preventing deficiency diseases.
Achievements
Identified anaemia as the most prevalent deficiency disease in Glen View 8, affecting
25% of children.
Developed engaging materials (posters, models) to teach about nutrition, aligning
with science curriculum goals.
Tested booth mock-ups with classmates, confirming their clarity and engagement.
Addressed real-world health challenges through practical, community-focused
solutions.
Challenges
Limited awareness among students and parents requires simplified educational
content.
Budget constraints may limit materials for models or fair supplies.
Time limitations may reduce the scope of the science fair.
Recommendations
Partner with local NGOs e.g. UNICEF for resources like nutrition guides or seeds for
school gardens.
Simplify booth content with visuals and hands-on activities to engage younger
audiences.
Seek donations from local businesses for model-building materials (e.g., cardboard,
paint).
Expand the campaign with follow-up activities, such as a school vegetable garden to
promote sustainable nutrition.
Alignment with Design Specifications
The fair addresses three deficiency diseases (anaemia, scurvy, rickets) and proposes
practical solutions like home gardens.
It engages the community through interactive activities and aligns with curriculum
goals on health and nutrition.
Feedback forms at the fair will help improve future events.
