Access to nutrition information: a key to improving nutrition status among under-five children in farming households of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Attaining adequate child nutrition requires prompt access to relevant nutrition information. Present information reveals that the nutrition status of children younger than five years is threatened. In this study we sought to assess under-five nutritional status among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to sample a total of 146 mothers as respondents. Data were collected using interview schedule and were analysed using percentage, mean, Chi-square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Most respondents were married (89.9%), currently working (93.2%) and had an average age, household size and monthly income of x¯ = 34.61, x¯ = 6 and ₦11,530, respectively. The respondents were mostly aware that cowpea is a major source of protein (x¯ = 0.99) and appropriate immunization of children is essential in aiding nutrition (x¯ = 0.99). They mostly sourced information on child nutrition from radio (x¯ = 0.87) and family and friends (x¯ = 0.87). Child nutritional status was high (59.6%). A significant relationship exists between educational attainment (χ2 = 10.781, P = 0.029), occupational status of the respondents (χ2 = 8.553, P = 0.014), awareness of adequate nutrition (r = 0.166, P = 0.044), source of information (r = 0.137, P = 0.010) and the child nutrition status. Improvements in nutrition campaign using available medical outlets and radio are advocated.