Practice, Knowledge and Attitude of Mothers on Malnutrition Among School Age Children (1-5) Years
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the study
The general objective of this study is to examine the practice, knowledge and attitude of mothers on malnutrition among school age children (1-5) years at Ika South LGA, Ime-Obi in Delta state. Specifically, the study seeks to;
- Examine the prevalence level and perceptions about malnutrition in children under-five years
- Determine the causing factors that contribute to malnutrition in children under-five years
- Examine the influences of maternal health seeking behavior and childhood morbidity among malnutrition children less than five years in Ika South LGA
- Examine the management and control practices of malnutrition in children under-five years in Ika South LGA
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Review
Concept of malnutrition and causes
Malnutrition literally means “bad nutrition” and it entails both over- and under-nutrition. In relations to trends of malnutrition in nations, the later is much prevalent in developing countries including Nigeria. The World Food Programme (WFP) defines malnutrition as “a state in which the physical function of an individual is impaired to the point where he or she can no longer maintain adequate bodily performance process such as growth, pregnancy, lactation, physical work or resisting and recovering from disease” (WFP, 2015).
The WHO defines malnutrition as “the cellular imbalance between the supply of nutrients and energy and the body’s demand for them to ensure growth” (World Bank, 2006). Malnutrition can also be defined as all forms of “bad” nutrition which includes both under nutrition and over nutrition. Under-nutrition results from insufficient food intake, inadequate care and infectious diseases, or a combination of these factors. This comprehensive term includes being underweight for one’s age, too short for one’s age (stunting), dangerously thin for one’s height (wasting) and deficient in micronutrients (Benjon et al, 2012). According to UNICEF (2013), failure to grow is easily observed through the three forms mentioned.
Acute malnutrition or wasting reflects weight loss as highlighted by a small weight for a given height. A child suffering from acute malnutrition can be categorized as being either moderately or severely thin or wasted. The consequences of acute malnutrition affect every organ and system. The presence of bilateral pitting edema is always a sign of severe acute malnutrition. Severe wasting, also referred to as severe acute malnutrition or SAM, is characterized by the following clinical manifestation. Marasmus, otherwise known as severe wasting. A child with marasmus is extremely thin, with wizard, old man appearance. Kwashiorkor, a manifestation of severe acute malnutrition is indicated by bilateral pitting edema. A child suffering from kwashiorkor may not appear to be undernourished, because the body swells as a result of edema. The additional water retained by the body increases the child’s weight so that it may be within limits. In its most severe form, kwashiorkor results in extremely tight, shining skin, skin lesions, and discolored hair (Benjon et al, 2012).
Stunting is an adaptation to chronic malnutrition and reflects the negative effects of nutritional deprivation on a child’s potential growth over time. Stunting can occur when a child suffers from long term nutrient deficiencies and or chronic illness, so, that only weight gain but height is affected. It can also be an outcome of repeated episodes of acute malnutrition. Stunting is classified by low height for age, indicating a restriction of potential linear growth in children, it negatively and often affects organ growth, stunting is strongly linked to cognitive impairment (Benjon et al, 2012).
CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
Design
According to Rosenthal and Rosnow (1991), a research design is a blueprint that provides the scientist with a detailed outline or plan for the collection and analysis of data. The study will employ a quantitative descriptive survey design, using a semi-structured questionnaire.
Descriptive research involves gathering data that talks about events and then organizes, tabulates, depicts and describes the data collection (Glass & Hopkins, 1984). Quantitative descriptive design is a formal, objective, logical process for obtaining quantifiable information about the world, presented in numerical form and analyzed through the use of statistics that is used to describe the test relationship (Polit & Hungler, 1999). This study used a quantitative descriptive design to gather information about the practice, knowledge and attitude of mothers on malnutrition among school age children (1-5) years at Ika South LGA, Ime-obi in Delta state.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Results
Socio–Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
One hundred and thirty three caregivers in Ika LGA were participants included in this study. Majority of the mothers interviewed were between 20 and 29 years of age (55.6%), while 5.3% were aged between 40 and 49 years. A display of respondents’ reported marital status as given in Table 4.1 indicates that the majority (97.7%) of mothers were married. None of the respondents reported being widowed, separated or divorced, and (2.3%) were single/never married. Most respondents had completed secondary education (50.4%), those with no educational level were (11.3%), while (1.5 %) reported having completed Tertiary education. Majority of respondents were Christians (96.2%) and a very small portion were traditionalist (3%), and Muslim (0.8%). The majority of respondents, (39.9. %) were civil servants, (18.8%) respondents were not working, (11.3%) of respondents were artisans.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The purpose of this chapter is to summarize the study, draw conclusions from the findings and make recommendations that will help to better grasp and adopt healthy behaviours and strategies towards reduction of malnutrition in children 0-5 years at Ika South LGA, Delta state.
Conclusion
The findings from the study shows that majority of participants were able to mention causes of malnutrition, but were not able to identify the three categories of malnutrition. They understood that it is a complex disease that has many determinants as stated by the UNICEF framework. Although, primary caregivers did exhibit some knowledge on malnutrition, it would be beneficial to reinforce their education. Additionally, the issue of the three categories of malnutrition, needs to be addressed, especially stunting, explaining the consequences of long term malnutrition.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made;
- Health facilities should encourage educational campaign that would focus on teaching mothers and community members how to use foods already available to them to prevent malnutrition in an economically feasible manner.
- Research should be encouraged to evaluate existing programs on prevention of malnutrition for its effectiveness and adjustment as the case may be.
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