Determinants of under-nutrition among under-five children in Enugu Metropolis, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition and infection are among the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in infancy, especially in developing  countries, where the frequency, severity and duration of the infection are related to the nutritional status of children. Investment in childhood  nutrition contributes not only to improving children's current welfare but to enhancing human capacity  building in the long term.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the factors that determine the nutritional status of under-five children.

Methods: This was a community based cross sectional study carried out in Enugu Metropolis among children ≤ 5 years of age. A multistage  sampling technique was employed. Simple random sampling by balloting was used to choose wards, streets, household and respondents in this  study. Questionnaires were administered to parents/caregivers and anthropometric measurements done. Some information sought by the  questionnaire include age and educational attainment of the parents/caregiver, immunization history, family income, history of exclusive breast  feeding and diarrhea. Binary and multivariate logistic regressions were used to establish determining factors.

Results: Among the 400 children studied, 21 (5.3%) were wasted, 33 (8.3%) were underweight, stunting was found in 38 (9.5%), 36 (9%) were  overweight, 11 (2.8%) were obese while the rest had normal nutritional status. There were statistically significant association between stunting and  marital status of parents (p = 0.022), immunization status (p< 0.001), age of mother (p = 0.046), maternal education (p = 0.012) and average family  income (p = 0.034). Statistically significant association existed between underweight and number of people in the household (p = 0.027), cases of  diarrhea (p = 0.004), exclusive breast feeding (p = 0.008), age of father (p<0.001) and average family income (p<0.001). Wasting was statistically  associated with exclusive breast feeding (p = 0.012).

Conclusion: There were significant association between nutritional status and socioeconomic factors of children. Education of women should be  given more attention as it has been shown to underlie most other factors contributing to good or poor nutritional status.