Prevalence And Determinants Of Malnutrition Among Under-Five Children In Selected Primary Schools In Nasarawa Town

Abstract

This study aimed at carrying out a survey of the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition among under-five children in selected primary schools in Nasarawa town. Cross sectional research design was adopted for the study. Stratified sampling technique were adopted where the three selected schools served as the strata. The data for the study were collected using structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The findings of the study revealed among others that malnutrition in the form of wasting and underweight is more prevalent than stunting in the study area. The study revealed further that exposure to diarrhea, mother’s educational level, mother’s occupation, total number of children, family monthly income, water treatment practice, were significant determinants of wasting among under five children. Also, factors like age of mother, source of food, frequency of water treatment, Antenatal Care (ANC) follow up, mothers’ eating habits during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding practice and meal frequency were significant determinants of underweight among under five children. Furthermore, exposure to infectious disease, mothers’ educational level, source of food and frequency of water treatment were the significant determinants of stunting among under five children in the study area. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that at the community level, instruction and training should be provided to women regarding exclusive breastfeeding, child care, and infectious illness prevention protocol.