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 lifethreatening
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
multistage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was also used to
determine their socio-economic and demographic characteristics ofthe child and
parents, feeding habit of the child, determinant ofsevere acute malnutrition
while anthropometric indices was used to assess the nutritional status ofthe
children. Results showed that About (50.5%) ofthe child were male and (27%)
ofthe child were aged 5 years, (52.7%) ofthe 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%) ofthe 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 ofsevere 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 ofnutrition.
MMADUBUOBI, M (2024). Prevalence Of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Among Children Between The Age Of 2-5years In Ikwuano L.G.Aabia State Nigeria:- Mmadubuobi, Promise C. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 24, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-severe-acute-malnutrition-sam-among-children-between-the-age-of-2-5years-in-ikwuano-lgaabia-state-nigeria-mmadubuobi-promise-c-7-2
MMADUBUOBI, MMADUBUOBI. "Prevalence Of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Among Children Between The Age Of 2-5years In Ikwuano L.G.Aabia State Nigeria:- Mmadubuobi, Promise C" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 04 Sep. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-severe-acute-malnutrition-sam-among-children-between-the-age-of-2-5years-in-ikwuano-lgaabia-state-nigeria-mmadubuobi-promise-c-7-2. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
MMADUBUOBI, MMADUBUOBI. "Prevalence Of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Among Children Between The Age Of 2-5years In Ikwuano L.G.Aabia State Nigeria:- Mmadubuobi, Promise C". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 04 Sep. 2024. Web. 24 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-severe-acute-malnutrition-sam-among-children-between-the-age-of-2-5years-in-ikwuano-lgaabia-state-nigeria-mmadubuobi-promise-c-7-2 >.
MMADUBUOBI, MMADUBUOBI. "Prevalence Of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Among Children Between The Age Of 2-5years In Ikwuano L.G.Aabia State Nigeria:- Mmadubuobi, Promise C" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 24 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-severe-acute-malnutrition-sam-among-children-between-the-age-of-2-5years-in-ikwuano-lgaabia-state-nigeria-mmadubuobi-promise-c-7-2