Effects of Community-Led Total Sanitation on Malnutrition Status of Children Under 5 Years in Kwale County

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition among children below 5 years negatively impacts their physical and cognitive development. The  government and its development partners have implemented several strategies to eradicate malnutrition. Studies have suggested that there is a significant link between malnutrition and poor hygiene and sanitation practices. Poor hygiene and sanitation related practices
are associated with undernutrition due to diarrhea, parasitic infections and environmental enteropathy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) on malnutrition status of children under 5 years in Kwale County, Kenya.
Materials and Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental study design with one intervention and control site. The quasi experiment adopted a Pretest-Post Test Study approach. The intervention site received the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) intervention which included health education and construction of latrines. Fleiss method was used to determine the sample size where 402 and 405 respondents were sampled in the control and intervention sites respectively.
Results: Data from the baseline survey shows that malnutrition rates were 53.2 % and 42.7 % in the control and intervention sites respectively. In the end term survey, malnutrition rates were 48.5% and 29.4% in the control and intervention sites respectively. Student T test showed a significant difference in the means of children suffering from malnutrition in intervention compared to control sites (t
= -5.675, p< 0.05). Data further showed that children in the control site were three times more likely to suffer from malnutrition  compared to children in the intervention site [(Adj. OR = 3.482, 95% CI= 2.453- 4.942, P<0.05)].
Conclusion: Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) has proven to positively impact the nutrition status of children under 5 years. Thus CLTS needs to be continuously strengthened and up-scaled for communities and the nation to continuously enjoy its benefits, dividends which include the achievement of the 3rd Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring achievement of good health and well-being for all.

Key Words: Malnutrition, CLTS, Children Under Five Years