Nutritional status and morbidity among HIV/AIDS-affected children aged 6-9 years in Suba district, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorWere, Gertrude M.
dc.contributor.authorOmo, Ohiokpehai
dc.contributor.authorKimiywe, Judith
dc.contributor.authorMbagaya, Grace M.
dc.contributor.authorOkeyo-Owuor, J.B.
dc.contributor.authorKamau, Joyce
dc.contributor.authorMbithe, Dorcus
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-03T09:04:32Z
dc.date.available2012-10-03T09:04:32Z
dc.date.issued2008-04
dc.descriptionPublisher version (WFL Publishers) available at www.isfae.org/scientficjournal/2008/issue2/pdf/food/f13.pdfen_US
dc.description.abstractThe HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to claim lives and render many children orphans. More than 3 million people died from AIDS including half a million children. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 12 million children have been orphaned by HIV and this number is set to increase. HIV/ AIDS orphaned children suffer malnutrition which adversely affects their health. Objective of this study was to establish the magnitude of underweight, stunting and wasting as indicators of malnutrition among HIV/AIDS-affected school children aged 6-9 years in Suba district. A crosssectional research design was used and setting included Lambwe, Sindo and Ong’ayo primary schools in Suba district. A total of 150 children were sampled from HIV/AIDS-affected households. Anthropometric measurements and guided questionnaires were the main tools of data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS and the Nutri-survey computer software programs. Of the children 8.8% were underweight, 13.3% stunted and 7.6% wasted. Cereals formed the main part of the childrens’ diet, fish was the most consumed protein and vegetable and fruit consumption was low. Total kilocalories taken were 41% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. The most reported illnesses which were also confirmed by the doctor’s clinical assessment were malaria (16%), upper respiratory infections (6.1%) and skin infections (8.0%). Primary education was completed by 67.4% of mothers, while only 1.2% had post secondary education. The average monthly maternal income was Ksh 1,550 ($ 24.2). Food security was reported to be low as 64.6% of the households purchased food three months after harvest. HIV/AIDS-affected children suffered underweight, stunting and wasting with morbidity, poverty, low educational and occupational status of the parents/guardians cited as probable determinants. Interventions should therefore focus on improved agricultural production, innovative poverty alleviation methods and education.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipRockerfeller Foundationen_US
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Food, Agriculture & Environment Vol.6(2) : 68-73. 2008en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5574
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherWFLPublisheren_US
dc.subjectOrphansen_US
dc.subjecthouseholden_US
dc.subjectunderweighten_US
dc.subjectstunting and wastingen_US
dc.titleNutritional status and morbidity among HIV/AIDS-affected children aged 6-9 years in Suba district, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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