Factors associated with childhood malnutrition in Melele community of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Optimal nutrition during childhood, particularly in the first five years of life, is essential for a healthy and productive adult life. Under-five malnutrition is a serious public health issue because it impairs children's cognitive and physical development and raises their risk of morbidity and death. This study is to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and factors influencing it among under five children in a rural area of Plateau state.
Methods: This cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted in Melele community of Mangu ward II, Mangu Local Government of Plateau State. Data from a total of 167 under-five children was obtained and analyzed using SPSS version 23 to determine the association between the nutritional status and independent variables (age group, sex, immunization status, deworming status within last six months, being given ITN, sleeping under ITN and attainment of developmental mild stone).
Results: There were 56.3% males out of the 167 under-five respondents; about three-quarters of the children were 12months or older with a median age of 24 (5 – 45) months. about half (53.9%) of the participants were exclusively breastfed with most of them starting complimentary feed at a median age 6 (5 – 7) months of age. This study revealed a disproportionately high degree of malnutrition of under-fives in Melele community with 58.1% stunted, 46.7% wasted, and 31.1% underweight. There was a statistically significant relationship between deworming children within the last 6 months (p=0.012) and ownership of ITN (p=0.047) with nutritional status
Conclusion: We recommend that there should be an increase of nutritional interventions in rural communities in Plateau State as presently, most intervention and awareness programmes target urban areas. In addition, further research needs to be done to explore other factors, such as maternal and household characteristics, in relation to under-five malnutrition.