Factors influencing malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Kamukunji Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition in children, which can take the form of stunting, wasting, or underweight, affects a child’s growth, morbidity, mortality, cognitive development, health, and survival. Despite the various strategies and policies by government and partners, malnutrition remains a challenge in Kenya.

Objectives: To assess the determinants of malnutrition among children aged 6-59months in Kamukunji sub-county, Nairobi County.

Design: A cross-sectional study design was adopted. A Semi-Structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to interview 260 caregivers with children aged 6-59 months. Data was collected on anthropometry measurements, socio-demographic and economic characteristics, maternal and child characteristics influencing wasting, underweight and stunting.

Setting: The study was done in Kamukunji Sub-County.

Subjects: The study population included children aged 6-59 months in Kamukunji Sub County and their care givers.

Main Outcome: The dependent variable were the three forms of malnutrition defined as underweight, wasting and stunting.

Results: Wasting prevalence was at 4.8%, underweight prevalence was 12.3% and stunting prevalence was 28.8%. Mothers with medium household income of above Ksh 20,000 experienced more underweight children compared to mothers who had a low household income of below Ksh 10,000 (95% CI: 1.901-9.930). Households with more than 3 children experienced more underweight children compared to households with less than 3 children (95% CI: 1.830-7.543). Children weighing between 2.1-3.0 experienced less underweight, wasting and stunting compared to children weighing between 0.0-1.0(95% CI: 0.075-0.584, 0.010-0.829,0.074-0.553g respectively).

Conclusion: Child weight, age of the child, household income and number of children have a significant effect on the nutrition status of children.