TWENTY percent of Zimbabwe's children are dying before they reach the age of five as they succumb to curable diseases, latest data from the Central Statistics Office reveals.

The developmental data unveiled by the CSO and the United Children's Fund (Unicef) last week also demonstrates that women and children have suffered the most from the collapse of the country's social services.

According to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey of 2005/6, the under five mortality rate was 82 per 1 000 live births but it now stands at 94 per 1 000, representing an increase of about 20%.

Explaining the findings contained in a preliminary report of the Multiple Indicator Monitoring Survey (MIMS), Tinashe Mwadiwa, a statistician at the CSO said the breakdown of the health delivery system was among the many reasons for the high mortality rate.

"Child mortality remained high in Zimbabwe," he said.

"According to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, the main direct causes of infant and under-five mortality are acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, malnutrition, HIV related conditions and malaria and skin diseases."

"The main determinants of whether a child suffers or dies from these causes are the child's HIV and nutritional status, access to and functioning of the health system, family/household and community care practices; and availability of preventative services such as immunisations, safe sanitation and hygiene."

The study also revealed that at least 79% of the orphans in the country had limited external support while the nutritional status of children had been worsened by the high poverty levels.

"At least 35% of the children aged under-five years are stunted, 2% were wasted and 12% were underweight.

"Rural areas had higher levels of malnutrition than urban areas.

"The stunting level in rural areas was 37% compared to 30% in urban areas.

"Underweight in rural areas was 13% compared to 9% in urban areas," said Mwadiwa.

The MIMS, which was conducted in May 2009, also found that 37% of children under the age of five did not have birth certificates.

Children could not be registered because parents were not around or had no time. Others did not have national identity documents.

On maternal health, the research established that many women were struggling to access quality maternal care.

At least 39% of pregnant women, many of them in rural areas were reportedly giving birth at home because they could not afford the high costs of maternity care.

Another 40% were delivering in the absence of skilled health workers, which poses a danger to their health and their babies.

The report says: "Cases of home delivery have generally been on the increase since 1990 in the context of economic hardships and a weakened health delivery system.

"It is of great concern that rural areas had half of the mothers delivering at home compared to 10% in urban areas.

"It is desirable that all deliveries take place in a health institution under professional care.

"Home deliveries expose both mother and child to the risk of death since complications may arise which require institutional attention and professional care."

Officially launching the preliminary report Unicef country representative, Peter Salama, said the findings were an urgent call for action to better the lives of women and children.

"The MIMS data underscores the deterioration that has occurred in the social sectors in the last few years and the tragic consequences that have resulted.

"Today and everyday in Zimbabwe 100 children below five years of age are dying of mostly preventable diseases," Salama said.

The MIMS data provides a powerful statistical testimony on the current state of women and children in Zimbabwe, he said.

"It will assist the inclusive government and its partners in determining the priorities for action.

"Women and children should be at the centre of the development agenda moving forward."

Deputy Health and Child Welfare minster, Douglas Mombeshora appealed to donors to increase their support to women and children as the unity government was still struggling to find its feet.