ABSTRACT

Acute malnutrition is an important concern for children aged under 5 years, both globally and in Nigeria. In 2018, the Global Nutrition report estimated that Nigeria had the second highest wasting burden (a form of acute malnutrition) worldwide with 3.4 million afflicted children under 5 years. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) represents most life-threatening form of acute malnutrition.  The study assess the prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children between the age group of 2-5 years in Ikwuano L.G.A of Abia State.  Two hundred and twenty-two children were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was also used to determine their socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the child and parents, feeding habit of the child, determinant of severe acute malnutrition while anthropometric indices was used to assess the nutritional status of the children. Results showed that About (50.5%) of the child were male and (27%) of the child were aged 5 years, (52.7%) of the child had 3-4 siblings. (25.2%) of the mothers were between 31-40 also married with  (46.4%) of the mother attaining secondary education. The study study showed that (53.6%) of the mothers were traders with (77.9%) of the mothers earning below minimum wage N30, 000. Majority (91.4%) ate breakfast more than half (73.4%) consume breakfast every day, (71.6%)  eat three times in a day, (83.8%) of the children do not skips meal meal skipped, (13.1%) skip lunch, (3.6%) skip breakfast. The study showed that (68.9%) of the respondents were  agreed that maternal illiteracy risk the child of severe acute, (62.2%) of the respondents  agreed that lack of exclusive breast feeding in first 6 months is a determinant of severe acute malnutrition, 71.6% of the respondent were disagreed that deprivation of colostrum  risk the child of severe acute malnutrition, 72.1% of the respondents also agree that incomplete immunization risk the child of severe acute malnutrition. 48(43.2%) male were wasted compare to  43(39.1%) female. 8(7.1%) of male are stunted. 18(16.1%) male were underweight while  18(16.4%) female. About 13(11.6%) male were overweight compare to 13(11.8%) female. The study showed that about (34.8%) of male were under nourished while (32.9%) of female were under nourished. The study showed that (14%) of children aged 2 years were wasted compared to children aged 3 years, 4years and 5 years  (11.3%), (7.7%) and (8.1%). The result showed that only few of the children Presence of oedema, anorexia (loss of appetite), convulsion, intractable vomiting and skin lesion. Based on the findings,  recommended was made  that strengthen the nutrition status of children in food-insecure households by promoting access to food and various source of nutrition.