The relationship between material employment and nutritional status of children from birth to four years of age.

Abstract

This was a comparative survey research. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between maternal employment and the nutritional status of children between birth and four years of age. A comparison was made between children of employed mothers and those of unemployed mothers. The study sought to achieve various objectives among which included the determination of the nutritional status of children below three years of age, whose mothers were either involved in paid employment or whose mothers were not employed. The study also sought to establish the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of respondents, as well as to establish the relationship between these characteristics and nutritional status of children of respondents. Most important, the study compared the nutritional status of children of employed mothers with those of unemployed mothers in order to establish the relationship between maternal employment and nutritional status of children below three years of age. The data used in the study were collected using an interview guide which was administered by the researcher to a sample of fifty (50) employed mothers and fifty (50) unemployed mothers. This study was conducted in Kendu-Bay Division of South Nyanza District between July 1991 and January 1992. The data were analyzed by the use of measures of central tendency, chi-square and a Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. Results revealed that: (a) There were no significant differences or similarities between the nutritional status of children of employed mothers and those of (b) That there is no significant relationship between maternal employment and nutritional status of children below three years (c) When respondents' marital status was correlated with children's nutritional status, controlling for employment, results revealed significant positive relationships. d) The type of food bought, specifically meat, was correlated with children's nutritional status controlling for employment and results revealed positive significant relationships (which were stronger for employed mothers).