Knowledge and Attitude of Mothers Towards Malnutrition Prevention Practice for Children Within 5 (Five) Years
Chapter One
Objective Of The Study
The main purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers toward malnutrition prevention practices for children within 5 years. Specifically, the study will;
- Assess the knowledge of mothers towards malnutrition prevention for under-five children at Ugbekun Health Center.
- Assess the attitude of mothers towards the prevention of malnutrition for under-five children at Ugbekun Health Center.
- Assess the factors that influence mothers’ practices towards the prevention of malnutrition for under-five children at Ugbekun Health Center.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The Concept of Malnutrition
The term ‘malnutrition’ has no universally accepted definition. It has been used to describe a deficiency, excess or imbalance of a wide range of nutrients, resulting in a measurable adverse effect on body composition, function and clinical outcome (World Health Organization, 2022). Although malnourished individuals can be under- or over nourished, ‘malnutrition’ is often used synonymously with ‘undernutrition’, as in this article. Malnutrition is a common, under-recognized and undertreated problem facing patients and clinicians. It is both a cause and consequence of disease and exists in institutional care and the community (British Dietetic Association [BDA], 2020; Malnutrition Action Group [MAG], 2021). Approximately 5% of the UK population are underweight with a body mass index (BMI) below 20 kg/m2, although obese individuals who unintentionally lose weight and subsequently have a BMI within the normal range are also at risk of malnutrition. Other patients become at risk as a result of an acute event (eg small bowel infarction), leaving them unable to meet their metabolic requirements both in the short and longer term. The prevalence of malnutrition increases by at least twofold in the elderly and those with chronic disease, and threefold in individuals living in institutional care (WHO, 2022). The prevalence of malnutrition in UK hospitals reported over the last 15 years ranges from 13–40%, many patients seeing a further decline in their nutritional status during hospital admission (MAG, 2021). A large survey conducted by the British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) in 2008 found that 28% of inpatients were at risk of malnutrition. The prevalence was higher in specific subpopulations: for example, 34% of all emergency admissions and 52% of admissions from care homes (BDA, 2020). Specific micronutrient deficiencies are also common, especially in the elderly: for example, folate deficiency has been described in 29% of the independent elderly population and 35% of those in institutional care (MAG, 2021). Most clinical studies use the term ‘malnutrition’ to refer to undernutrition. However, the use of ‘malnutrition’ instead of ‘undernutrition’ makes it impossible to distinguish between undernutrition and overnutrition, a less acknowledged form of malnutrition (WHO, 2022). Accordingly, a 2019 report by The Lancet Commission suggested expanding the definition of malnutrition to include “all its forms, including obesity, undernutrition, and other dietary risks” (Lancet Commission, 2019). The WHO and The Lancet Commission have also identified “[t]he double burden of malnutrition,” which occurs from “the coexistence of overnutrition (overweight and obesity) alongside Malnutrition (stunted growth and wasting)” (WHO, 2022; Lancet Commission, 2019).
There are two major types of malnutrition namely; protein energy malnutrition resulting from deficiencies of any or all nutrients and micronutrients malnutrition resulting from deficiency in vitamins and minerals (World Health organization, 2006). There are three types of protein- energy malnutrition in children described as follows:
- Acute malnutrition is wasting or thinness, acute inadequate nutrients leading to rapid weight loss or failure to gain weight normally.
- Chronic malnutrition refers to shortness caused by inadequate nutrition over a long period of time leading to failure in linear growth.
- Wasting and stunting are very different forms of malnutrition. Stunting is chronic and its causative factors are poorly understood. Stunting usually does not pose an immediate threat to life and is relatively common in many populations in the less developed countries. Some signs and symptoms may include weight loss, breathing difficulties, higher susceptibility to cold and other diseases, higher risk of hypothermia. Severely malnourished children typically experience slow behavioural development; even mental retardation may occur (Nkou, Sumbele, Markah , Njunda , Samje & kanga, 2018).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
Research Design
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e. mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
Population of the Study
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals, as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers towards malnutrition prevention practice for children within 5years. Hence, the population of this study comprises of women visiting Ugbekun health center.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on an assessment of the knowledge and attitude of mothers towards malnutrition prevention practice for children within 5years. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was to assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers towards malnutrition prevention practice for children within 5years. The study was specifically set to assess the knowledge of mothers towards malnutrition prevention for under-five children, the attitude of mothers towards the prevention of malnutrition for under-five children and the factors which influences mothers practices towards the prevention of malnutrition for under-five children at Ugbekun Health Center.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 77 responses were validated from the enrolled participants were all women visiting Ugbekun health center. Data were collected using questionnaire, while the analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics. The key findings are below;
- There is a highlevel of knowledge towards malnutrition prevention for under-five children among mothers attending Ugbekun Health Center.
- The mothers attending Ugbekun Health Center has positive attitude towards the prevention of malnutrition for under-five children.
- The factors which influences mothers’ practices towards the prevention of malnutrition for under-five children at Ugbekun Health Center includes; socioeconomic status, access to healthcare services, educational level, cultural beliefs and practices, and quality of information and guidance received from healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
Based on study findings, it can be concluded that while there is generally positive attitude among mothers towards preventing malnutrition in under-five children at Ugbekun Health Center, there are also variations in knowledge levels and factors influencing their practices. Additionally, many mothers demonstrate basic to moderate knowledge of nutrition and child health practices, influenced by factors such as access to healthcare, socio-economic status, education, cultural beliefs, and support systems from healthcare providers and the community.
Recommendation
Based on study findings, the researcher recommends the following:
- Government should implement regular health education sessions at Ugbekun Health Center focused on nutrition, breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and hygiene practices. These sessions should be tailored to the educational levels and cultural backgrounds of the mothers.
- Government and community leaders should ensure that healthcare services, including nutritional counseling and regular check-ups, are easily accessible and affordable for all mothers, regardless of their socio-economic status.
- Policy makers should establish a system to regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving maternal knowledge and practices towards malnutrition prevention.
- Stakeholders and healthcare professionals should strengthen support systems for mothers by encouraging family involvement and establishing peer support groups where mothers can share experiences and advice related to child nutrition and health.
REFERENCE
- Abuya, B. A., Onsomu, E. O., Kimani, J. K., & Moore, D. (2015). Influence of maternal education on child immunization and stunting in Kenya. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 19(8), 1724-1733. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1678-9
- Adamu, Z., Gebremedhin, M., & Bitew, B. D. (2021). Marital status and under-five child malnutrition in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Maternal and Child Health Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03234-6
- Ahmed, K. Y., Page, A., Arora, A., & Ogbo, F. A. (2016). Trends and factors associated with complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia: A systematic review. Global Health Action, 9, Article 29716. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v9.29716
- Akombi, B. J., Agho, K. E., Merom, D., Renzaho, A. M., & Hall, J. J. (2019). Child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis of demographic and health surveys (2006-2016). PLoS ONE, 14(8), e0220895. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220895
- Aljohani, S., & Aljohani, E. (2020). Maternal education and childhood malnutrition in underdeveloped countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health Nutrition, 23(5), 858-870. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001900317X
