AWARENESS OF PROTEIN ENERGY MALNUTRITION AMONG MOTHERS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF UNDER- FIVE CHILDREN IN ETI-OSA LGA, LAGOS STATE.
Abstract
Background: Nutrition is the science of food, nutrients
and other substances they contain, and the action of
these within the body. The nutritional status of under-five
children is of particular concern, since the early years of
life are crucial for future growth and development. This
study was undertaken to assess the awareness
ofmothers/care giversabout malnutrition andthe
nutritional status of under-five children in Eti-Osa local
government area of Lagos state.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was
carried out using a multistage sampling technique. An
interviewer- administered, structured questionnaire with
sections for anthropometric measurements and clinical
assessment was used for data collection among 225
mothers/care givers with under-five children. Statistical
Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 was used for
data analysis.
Results: About 138 (61.3%) of respondents were aware
of protein energy malnutrition and over half (54.2%)
identified the cause as poor feeding. More than half
122(54.2%) of the respondents admitted exclusively
breastfeeding their infants for the first six months of life.
About 27 (12%) of the children surveyed were
underweight, while most had a normal weight for age
157(69.8%). Thirty (13.3%) of the children had stunted
growth and 88% had a normal weight for height, while
2(0.9%) had severe wasting. Over 80% of the children
had good clinical features. The number of people in a
household and the average income of the household per
month were significantly associated with the children's
weight for age (p< 0.05).
Conclusions: About two thirds of the mothers were
aware of protein energy malnutrition, and a few of the
children surveyed had nutritional problems. Effective and
persistent nutritional education and active involvement
could enhance nutritional outcomes. Child nutrition
issues should be made central to all planning and policy
formulation.
