Prevalence and Strategies to Reduce Malnutrition Among Children of 0-5 years in Ifedore LGA, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Malnutrition remains one of the major problems confronting children in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA). The nutritional status of children influences their health status, which is a key determinant of child survival. Therefore, the improvement of children’s nutritional status increases the chances of child survival and is considered as a precondition for their contribution to the community as well as human development. The study was carried out to examine the prevalence and strategies to reduce malnutrition among children of 0-5 years in Ifedore LGA, Ondo state.

Method

The quantitative descriptive survey design was used. A semi-structured questionnaire and avignette were used to elicit information from 133 mothers and caregivers of children 0-5 years.

Results

From the study, the majority of respondents were able to mention the causes of malnutrition.Causes cited included, poor feeding practices, which 85.7% of caregivers agreed to, 85.7%also mentioned poor environmental and personal hygiene, 85.7% mentioned poor child care, and 86.9% mentioned poor birth spacing as a cause of malnutrition. 87% of respondents agreed that cases of malnutrition can be managed by taking the child to the health center, and the majority (74.4%) of caregivers also disagreed that malnutrition was a result of spiritual illness/curse.

Conclusion

Although caregivers did exhibit some knowledge on malnutrition, it would be beneficial to reinforce their education with regards to the three categories of malnutrition. Especially stunting, explaining the consequences of long-term malnutrition. This is very important given the fact that many cases of stunting go unnoticed by the untrained eye.

Recommendation

Health facilities should encourage educational campaigns that would focus on teaching mothers and community members how to use foods already available to them to prevent malnutrition in an economically feasible manner.