Main Article Content
Comparative study of nutritional status of children (aged 6-59 months) in four villages of Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Nutrition plays a key role in child development and performance. Nutritional status of pre-school children is an indicator of the nutritional situation in society and its assessment by anthropometry remains the simplest and less expensive method.
Objective: - To assess and compare the nutritional status of pre-school children in four villages of Wamakko, Sokoto State.
Materials and Methods: - A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire. A total of 159 households were randomly sampled and the nutritional status of one child from each household assessed using anthropometric measurements.
Results: - The prevalence of severe acute malnutrition was higher in Sayya Gidan Gada with 18.60% as compared to WHO cut off point of < 11.5cm for severe acute malnutrition, Gunfar Dan Gara and Sayya Gidan Gada recorded higher prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition of 45.90% and 37.20% respectively measured against WHO cut off point of 11.5 – 13.5cm. Majority of care givers (63.63% to 93.00%) gave birth at home. More than 60.00% of children from the study areas consumed carbohydrate rich diet. Micronutrient supplementation was higher in Bakassi (51.52%) and Kwalkwalawa (45.45%) as compared with Gunfar Dan Gara (19.67%) and Sayya Gidan Gada (16.30%). Highest level of educated care givers and civil servants were recorded in Bakassi.
Conclusion: - Child malnutrition was linked to poverty, lack of education and time constraint to child care and poor access to health services. Underweight and stunting are the predominant malnutrition in the study areas.
Key words: Anthropometry, Pre-School Children, Nutritional status, Wamakko.
Objective: - To assess and compare the nutritional status of pre-school children in four villages of Wamakko, Sokoto State.
Materials and Methods: - A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire. A total of 159 households were randomly sampled and the nutritional status of one child from each household assessed using anthropometric measurements.
Results: - The prevalence of severe acute malnutrition was higher in Sayya Gidan Gada with 18.60% as compared to WHO cut off point of < 11.5cm for severe acute malnutrition, Gunfar Dan Gara and Sayya Gidan Gada recorded higher prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition of 45.90% and 37.20% respectively measured against WHO cut off point of 11.5 – 13.5cm. Majority of care givers (63.63% to 93.00%) gave birth at home. More than 60.00% of children from the study areas consumed carbohydrate rich diet. Micronutrient supplementation was higher in Bakassi (51.52%) and Kwalkwalawa (45.45%) as compared with Gunfar Dan Gara (19.67%) and Sayya Gidan Gada (16.30%). Highest level of educated care givers and civil servants were recorded in Bakassi.
Conclusion: - Child malnutrition was linked to poverty, lack of education and time constraint to child care and poor access to health services. Underweight and stunting are the predominant malnutrition in the study areas.
Key words: Anthropometry, Pre-School Children, Nutritional status, Wamakko.
