Determinants Of Malnutrition In Children Less Than Five Years In The Bosomtwe District, Ashanti, Ghana
Loading...
Date
2011-07-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This was a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design on the determinants of malnutrition
among children less than five years in the Bosomtwe district, Ashanti, Ghana. The socially
related factors accounting for the high level of malnutrition in the Bosomtwe district is
unknown. The aim was to assess the social, demographic, economic, health related predictors
for malnutrition among children less than five years.
A total of 200 children less than five years were randomly selected and their mothers
interviewed using a pre-tested and standardised questionnaire.
The study was conducted during August 2008, the harvest season. For women, who are the
main caretakers, the harvest season is one of the busiest period of the year.
The findings indicate that using Z scores, 32% of the children were malnourished, with 23%
being severely malnourished. The predictors for malnutrition included the age of the mother
(p=0.00), number of children (p=0.02) employment status (p=0.05), and types of water
sources used (p=0.00).
It is recommended that collaborative effort of community leaders, health mangers and
district assembly should intensify education provide infrastructures that would enable
mothers improve the nutritional status of children less than five years in the district.
Description
A Thesis Submitted To The School Of
Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah
University Of Science And Technology
In Partial Fulfillment Of The
Requirements For The Degree Of
Master Of Science (M.Sc) In Health
Service Planning And Management