Nutrition intervention program and childhood malnutrition: A comparative study of two rural riverine communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:The prevalence of malnutrition is high in the Niger delta region of Nigeria, in spite of the region's oil wealth and nutrition intervention programs have been found to be effective in similar circumstance.Aim:This study is to assess the nutrition intervention program, implemented by UNICEF in some rural communities of Bayelsa State, one of the six States in the Niger delta region of Nigeria.Subjects and Methods:The study was carried out in 2009 in Toruorua and Gbaranbiri, two rural riverine communities, in Baylesa State. Toruorua benefited from the nutrition intervention program of UNICEF between 1999 and 2008, while Gbaranbiri did not benefit. A comparative, cross-sectional study design was used, with the data collected using anthropometry and semi-structured questionnaire, administered on 105 respondents, chosen with the cluster sampling technique, popularized by UNICEF, from each of the study communities. Data were analyzed using EPI-INFO version 2002, Microsoft Excel software, and manually. Differences between the study communities were tested using the student's t-test for means, and Chi-square test for proportions. Significant values were set at P <0.05.Results:A total of 210 questionnaires were administered and retrieved from both study communities, and the anthropometric measurements of equal number of under-five year children were also taken. There were no significant differences in the occupations of the respondents, and in the sizes of their households. The prevalence of wasting, under-weight and stunting were however found to be significantly higher in the reference community, as 20.0% (21/105) of the children were found to be wasted, compared to 5.0% (6/105) in the intervention community (P < 0.01); 17.1% (18/105) were found to be underweight, compared to 9.5% (10/105) in the exposed community (P = 0.01); while 24.8% (26/105) were stunted, compared to 10.5% (11/105) in the exposed community (P = 0.01).Conclusion:Nutrition intervention program delivered in a primary health care facility can positively change nutrition behavior and prevent childhood malnutrition.

An Investigation of the Prevalence and Causes of Malnutrition in Iran: a Review Article and Meta-analysis

“…In national studies conducted in 1995, ANISE1 and ANISE2 also reported similar results [585960]. In the studies conducted in other parts of the world, the differences between these indices between girls and boys are not statistically significant and are consistent with the present study [40414243444546]. UNICEF reports show that the prevalence of underweight between boys and girls is similar in developing countries [61].…”

“…For example, a meta-analytical study in 32 countries from the north, south, west and sub-Saharan Africa showed that children under the age of five were 25% to 36.4% underweight, 36.6% to 57.7% short, and 6.2% to 18% slim [40]. The prevalence of underweight in Nigeria was 17.1%, 24.8% and 20%, respectively [41]. A meta-analysis in Ethiopia showed that children under the age of five had 33% underweight, 40% short stature, and 19% slimness [42].…”

Impacts of Caregivers’ Nutrition Knowledge and Food Market Accessibility on Preschool Children’s Dietary Diversity in Remote Communities in Southeast Nigeria

“…These perceptions led to the introduction of nutrition policies, plans, and interventions with the aim of improving caregivers' knowledge of appropriate foods and feeding practices for their young children. The interventions include protecting and advancing food and nutrition security in Yobe State; efforts to positively transform nutrition in northern Nigeria; improving maternal, newborn, and child nutrition in northern Nigeria; national policies on food and nutrition in Nigeria; National Plan of Action on Food and Nutrition (NPAN) in Nigeria; National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (2014-2019); UNICEF implemented nutrition intervention programs; 2017 Nigeria Nutrition in Emergency Sector Response Plan; and 2018 Zero Hunger Initiative [9,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. More so, food supplementation, food fortification, and biofortification of staple crops have been employed to address nutrient deficiencies among children and mothers in Nigeria.…”

Access and Utilisation of Child Nutrition Information by Mothers in Rural Delta State, Nigeria

“…Importantly, breastfeeding is a widespread practice in Nigeria with 97.1% children aged 0-23 months ever breastfed, but only a few mothers breastfeed exclusively (NNHS, 2018). Women are encouraged to continue breastfeeding alongside complementary food until the child is two years (Sawyer et al, 2013;WHO, 2013). Although mothers are not favourably inclined to the practice, it is not new as it existed in traditional Ugep society where women breastfed beyond two years for contraceptive advantage (Obono, 2010).…”

“…Because malnutrition is high among under-two children in Nigeria (NNHS, 2018), nutrition information, education and intervention is important to reduce infant mortality and malnutrition (Sawyer, Ordinioha & Abuwa, 2013). Implementation of the information would lay a healthy and disease-free foundation for children.…”