Agricultural biodiversity and sustainable child nutrition in Dormaa West District of the Brong Ahafo Region
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Date
OCTOBER, 2016
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Abstract
The study assessed diversities of crops and animals, and the relationship between agricultural biodiversity, dietary diversity, and malnutrition prevalence of children between 24-60 months using a cross-sectional survey in the Dormaa West District between April-May 2015.
A sample size of 217 households was targeted with 10 communities conveniently selected. Thereafter systematic sampling was used until the required sample was reached. Agricultural biodiversity was measured by counting plants and animals kept, grown and obtained from the wild. Dietary diversity was also measured using data from 24 hour recalls and their food groups calculated using dietary diversity score. Weight and height measurement of children were taken and their Z scores calculated for stunting, wasting and underweight. Pearson correlation was used to test the relationships between variables.
The study revealed agricultural biodiversity to be high in the District but low among households. The household's dietary diversity level was medium with 24.5% of the households consuming from ten different food groups. Underweight (WAZ) prevalence was the highest rate (20.3%) and was (2.3%) and (7.9%) more than stunting (HAZ) and wasting (WHZ) rates respectively. There was a positive correlation between agricultural biodiversity (AB) and dietary diversity (DD) (p<0.01). However, agricultural biodiversity did not correlate with HAZ, WHZ, and WAZ (p> 0.05). With the exception of HAZ and WHZ, higher dietary diversity explained 21% of severe WAZ.
Regardless of sex and age, agricultural biodiversity and high dietary diversity have a relationship with severe underweight among children in the Dormaa West District. Underweight should be given attention for children between the ages of 24-48 months through highly diversified diets.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Philosophy Degree in Sustainable and Integrated Rural Development.