Dietary Diversity, morbidity prevalence and Nutritional Status of children (6 - 23 months old) in Kibera
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Date
2016-07
Authors
Miriti, Sussyann Makena
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
About 150 million children under five years are malnourished with 70% being in the
developing world and 27% of these children are in Africa. Dietary diversity has been
associated with improved nutritional status. Presence of diseases suppresses
immunity; depress the appetite inhibiting the absorption and nutrient uptake
compromising nutritional status. Informal settlements are associated with limited
nutritious foods, inadequate clean water and inadequate health care facilities. This
study was carried out to assess the dietary diversity, morbidity prevalence and
nutritional status of children in Kibera informal settlement. A cross-sectional
analytical study design was used where 277 children from 273 households were
randomly selected from two locations. A researcher administered questionnaire and
focus group discussion guide were used for data collection. Anthropometric
measurements were used to determine the nutrition status. Dietary diversity was
assessed with 24-hour recall and 7-day- food frequency questionnaire. The 24 hour
recall was analyzed by use of Nutri-survey computer software; ENA for SMART was
used to convert anthropometric data to Z-scores. Chi-square was used for establishing
the relationship for categorical variables. The average size of a household was 3.9
(range 2-8) people. The caregivers were mostly young mothers who were housewives
with mainly primary school level of education. The rates of stunting, underweight and
wasting were 25.3%, 8.6% and 4.0% respectively. Over two-thirds (64.1%) of the
infants were reported to have been sick within the past 2 weeks and only 26.0%
sought consultation within twenty four hours. Most caregivers did not seek medical
assistance since 66.7% considered the illness as mild while 23.5% lacked money to
pay at the facility. Minimum dietary diversity score was determined where 79.4% of
the children had received food from the four food groups and above. It was 92.6% in
18-23 months old category, 12-17 months old category was 80.2% and 70.6% in 6-11
months old category. Dietary diversity increased with an increase in age of the child
whereby older children consumed a high DDS. Sex and stunting had a significant
relationship where more boys were stunted than girls (Chi-square test; p=0.003). Age
of the child was also associated with stunting among the children (Chi-square test;
p=0.009) with more among the older children. Mothers with some level of education
had better nourished children (Chi-square test; p=O.OOI). Occupation of the mother
was associated with underweight and stunting (Chi-square test; p=0.006 and p=0.009
respectively). There was association between education level and the DDS score, P =
0.003), household source of income and the DDS score (P=0.003); there was
relationship between dietary diversity and the number of times a child is fed. Children
who were ill were more likely to be stunted (Chi-square test; p= <0.001). Thus this
study recommends households sensitization on consumption of cheaper proteins and
vegetables to improve dietary diversity, promote awareness on health seeking
behaviors for prompt treatment, adult education to improve knowledge of caregivers
especially on nutrition in regard to child feeding.
Description
A research thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of science (food, nutrition and dietetics) in the school of applied human sciences of Kenyatta University. July 2016