ABSTRACT
Undernutrition has led to half of all deaths
and 28% of stunting in children worldwide. In the developing countries, 52% and
34-62% of the school-age children are stunted and underweight, respectively. As
school age is a period of physical and mental development, prolonged
undernutrition in this age group impairs their growth. Children are most
vulnerable to undernutrition due to their low dietary intake, less access to
food, inequitable distribution of food within households, improper food storage
and preparation, dietary taboos and infections with pathogens. This study
assessed the Prevalence and risks factors of undernutrition among school age
children in Umuahia North L.G.A of Abia state. A multi-stage sampling technique
was used to select the study sample. Four community primary schools were
selected from a list of community school in Umuahia North. Children within the
age of 6-12 were the respondents and were randomly selected from primary three
down to six which makes the total of 260. Structured and validated
questionnaires were used in data collection. Data collection included the
socio-economic and demographic characteristics and the dietary pattern of the
school children, the weight and height measurement of the children was taken to
establish the anthropometric status. Data obtained from this study were
analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages and pearson's
correlation). Significance was accepted at P<0.05. This study revealed that
51.5% ofthe respondents were male while 48.8% were female. The nutritional
status shows that 16.6% of the respondents were stunted, 6.9% underweight and 5.0%
indicated thinness. Risks factor of family size and nutritional status of the
children was not significant at (p>0.05). However, significant relationship
(p< 0.05) was identified between nutritional status with the risk factors of
mother’s occupation, mother’s income, drinking clean water, eating frequently,
good health facilities and skipping meal. The study reveals that only a few of
the respondents were undernourished. Awareness to parents on the need for
appropriate nutrition among school age children should be encouraged by all
sectors, Health workers should also help to address the need of adequate
nutrition.
NWONYE, N (2024). Prevalence And Risks Factors Of Under-Nutrition Among School Age Children (6-12 Years) In Umuahia North, Abia State:- Nwonye, Okemudi. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Oct 09, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-and-risks-factors-of-under-nutrition-among-school-age-children-6-12-years-in-umuahia-north-abia-state-nwonye-okemudi-7-2
NWONYE, NWONYE. "Prevalence And Risks Factors Of Under-Nutrition Among School Age Children (6-12 Years) In Umuahia North, Abia State:- Nwonye, Okemudi" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Sep. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-and-risks-factors-of-under-nutrition-among-school-age-children-6-12-years-in-umuahia-north-abia-state-nwonye-okemudi-7-2. Accessed 09 Oct. 2024.
NWONYE, NWONYE. "Prevalence And Risks Factors Of Under-Nutrition Among School Age Children (6-12 Years) In Umuahia North, Abia State:- Nwonye, Okemudi". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Sep. 2024. Web. 09 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-and-risks-factors-of-under-nutrition-among-school-age-children-6-12-years-in-umuahia-north-abia-state-nwonye-okemudi-7-2 >.
NWONYE, NWONYE. "Prevalence And Risks Factors Of Under-Nutrition Among School Age Children (6-12 Years) In Umuahia North, Abia State:- Nwonye, Okemudi" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 09 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-and-risks-factors-of-under-nutrition-among-school-age-children-6-12-years-in-umuahia-north-abia-state-nwonye-okemudi-7-2