Nutritional status and association of demographic characteristics with malnutrition among children less than 24 months in Kwale County, Kenya

Abstract

IntroductionMalnutrition is an underlying cause of mortality in about half of the cases that occur among children less than five years in developing countries. In Africa including Kenya, this problem may be exacerbated by socio-demographic and socio-economic factors. This study aimed at determining nutritional status and association of demographic characteristics with malnutrition among children aged 1 day to 24 months in Kwale County, Kenya.MethodsA cross-sectional study was done in Mwaluphamba Location, Kwale County, Kenya. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and administered to 380 randomly selected mothers who had children under the age of two years. Nutrition status was determined using anthropometric measurements. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and associations were determined by univariate logistic regression.ResultsMalnutrition prevalence for children in Kwale was high with 29.2% of the children being stunted and 13.4% being severely stunted. Underweight prevalence was at 20.8% of whom 9.5% were severely underweight. The global acute malnutrition rate was 18.9%. Stunting differed significantly between sex (males 35.1% compared to females 21.7%; p = 0.005). Significant differences were also observed in stunting and underweight due to age (p < 0.005).ConclusionThe prevalence of stunting, underweight and global acute malnutrition rates was high among the children. Male children were associated with a significantly higher prevalence of stunting than the females. The prevalence of underweight and stunting significantly increased with increasing age.

Diet diversity was limited in Malawi resulting in stunting despite availability of foods in markets

“…Regarding gender differences, it had previously been reported that boys were more vulnerable to health inequalities 6,9,10 . Our result was consistent with this.…”

“…Regarding gender differences, it had previously been reported that boys were more vulnerable to health inequalities. 6,9,10 Our result was consistent with this. In Malawian culture, senior males are first to eat their meals, and children occupy a low position in the hierarchy.…”

Invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella in sickle cell disease in Africa: is increased gut permeability the missing link?

“…The African continent has a high prevalence of malnutrition [ 42 ], and malnutrition has been linked to alteration in the gut microbiome. It is a major problem and sets up a vicious cycle of impaired immunity, increased risks for infections, and worsening malnutrition, especially in children with SCD who already have chronic ill health due to SCD.…”

An Analysis of Anthropometric Measurements of Children Enrolled in Programs for Managing Acute Malnutrition, in Kwale County, Kenya

“…According to the 2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), Coast Province, particularly Kwale County, one of the 47 Counties in Kenya, had a higher rate (39%) of malnutrition among children under 5 years of age than the national average; the second highest in the country. The 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) shows that this has reduced over the years and was reported to be at 29.7% but was still the second highest in the country 9 . To improve health status of malnourished children under 5, Trnava University from Slovak Republic, established 3 nutrition centers in selected areas within Kwale County, because of the highest rate of malnutrition in children under 5 years of age and also the second factor of areas selection was the logistical location of the centers due to accessibility from the surrounding communities.…”