PERCEIVED CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN 0-5YEARS BY WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE

Abstract

This study was on Perceived causes and effects of malnutrition among children 0-5years by women of child bearing age. Three objectives were raised which included; To determine the influence of family structure on the nutritional status of children, to determine the influence of the socio-economic status of the family on nutritional status of children and to determine the influence of maternal education on the nutritional status of children. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from residents in Enugu. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

Malnutrition is the condition that result from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrient are lacking in excess (too high of an intake) or in the wrong proportions. A number of different nutrition disorders may arise depending on which nutrients are under or over abundant in the diet (Arthur & Steven, 2008).

The World Health Organization (WHO) (2006) defines malnutrition as the cellular unbalance between supply of nutrients and energy and the body’s demand for them to ensure growth, maintenance and specific functions. Women and young children are the most adversely affected groups one quarter to one half of women of child bearing age in Africa and south Asia are under weight, which contributes to the number of low birth weight infants born annually.

Malnutrition is globally the important risk factor for illness and death, contributing to more than half of death in children worldwide, child malnutrition was associated with 54% of death in children in developing countries in 2001. The WHO (2006) estimates that by the year 2015, the prevalence of malnutrition will decreased to 17.6% globally with 113.4 million children younger than 5 years affected as measured by low weight for age. The overwhelming majority of children 112.8 million will live in developing countries which 70% of these children in Asia, particularly the south central region and 26% in Africa.

According to the WHO (2006), malnutrition has three commonly used comprehensive names shirting, wasting and underweight measures by height for age, weight for height, and weight for age. Stunting or growth retardation or chronic portion-energy malnutrition (PEM) is deficiency for calories and protein available to the body tissue and it is inadequate intake of food over a long period of time or persistent and recurrent ill-health. This height for age (stunting) is less sensitive to temporary food shortages, should be considered as the most reliable indicator (Kristof & Nicholas 2009).

Wasting or protein energy malnutrition during the period immediately before the survey resulting from recent episodes of illness and diarrhoea; In particular or from acute food storage protein, Energy malnutrition (PEM) described in the 1920’s observed most frequently in developing countries but has been described with increasing frequency in hospitalized and chronically ill. Based on this the researcher wants to investigate Perceived causes and effects of malnutrition among children 0-5years by women of child bearing age

Statement of the problem

Malnutrition has for a long time been recognized as a consequence of poverty since most of the world’s malnourished children live in the developing nations of Asia, Africa and Latin America, where those mostly affected are from low income families (Unicef, 2004) especially those living in the rural areas and urban slums. When income decreases, the quality and quantity of food also decreases. Evidence shows that when unemployment and low wages are presenting factors, families eat cheaper food, which is less nutritious leading to weight loss and malnutrition (Unicef, 2009). The scourge of under-five malnutrition is on the increase globally and in Nigeria, with the attendant child mortality facing our society. Studies have pointed out that malnutrition is high in communities with low income group, (Ene-Obong, 2007; Maziya-Dixon., 2011). They are of the opinion that this low income group have heavy workload, poor education and poor nutrient intake. And even the traditional breast feeding practices that suppose to be exclusively practiced have been substituted with food complements. However, the problem of adequate complementary food is still being enormous. Fermented cereal gruel-pap (ogi/akamu) continues to be the preferred complementary for infants in eastern Nigeria of which the study area is part of. This has been shown to be inadequate in term of nutrient density. It is bulky, viscose, and low in nutrients, (Ene-Obong, 2007).

Objective of the study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To determine the influence of family structure on the nutritional status of children.
2. To determine the influence of the socio-economic status of the family on nutritional status of children.
3. To determine the influence of maternal education on the nutritional status of children.

Research hypotheses

H₀:   there is no influence of family structure on the nutritional status of children.

H₁: there is influence of family structure on the nutritional status of children.

H₀²: there is no influence of the socio-economic status of the family on nutritional status of children

H₂: there is influence of the socio-economic status of the family on nutritional status of children

Significance of the study

This study will unravel some of the superstitious and cultural practices that affect nutrition, especially with regards to children. The information will be used by health workers to identify areas of concentration during health talk especially to mothers during ante-natal visits. The result of the study will influence health education in promoting the use of locally available food resources to prevent malnutrition in children. The result when used in health education will enable the community understand that malnutrition when prevented will result in high productivity ( when the children grow into adulthood), reduction in economic losses, reduction in health care costs of caring for those suffering from nutrition related illnesses thereby increasing returns on investment in education and other aspects of the economy. The results obtained will help in informing and promoting woman’s role in providing nutritious food to her family and to herself in Nigeria. It will also enable policy makers to know that increased access to education and health services are vital, as well as a focus on increased gender equality in Nigeria. It will also help to provide reliable and accurate information for policy making and programme design that aims at addressing nutritional deficiencies in under-five children.

Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of the study covers Perceived causes and effects of malnutrition among children 0-5years by women of child bearing age

The researcher faces the following constraints:

Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

However in the midst above mentioned limitation the researcher devotedly ensured that the purpose of the study was actualized.

1.8 Definition of terms

Nutritional status: – the condition of the body in those respects influenced by the diet, the levels of nutrients in the body and the ability of those levels to maintain normal metabolic integrity. The general adequacy is assessed by measuring weight and height for age compared with standard data for adequately nourished children

Malnutrition: Malnutrition refers to when a person’s diet does not provide enough nutrients or the right balance of nutrients for optimal health. Causes of malnutrition include inappropriate dietary choices, a low income, difficulty obtaining food, and various physical and mental health conditions

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