Quality Nutrition Education and Its Impact on Haemoglobin Levels of School Pupils of Muranga County, Kenya

Abstract

Anaemia can dramatically affect school children with adverse impact on their cognitive development and school performance. Nutrition education has not been given the priority it deserves in primary schools due to the busy school curriculum although it is concerned with changing an individual's behavior. It is in this light that this study was designed. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three main nutrition education facilitators on nutrition knowledge among primary schools children in Gatanga Sub-County. The facilitators used were researcher, 5 pupil peer educators and an agriculture staff in nutrition education classes using the FAO curriculum chart. A baseline survey was conducted in 12 randomly selected schools for class six pupils' households. Questionnaires for pupils and an interview schedule for caregivers were used to collect data, with pre and post-tests. Demographics and socio-economic factors, food production hygienic practices, dietary intake and biochemical data were obtained. The intervention schools were Mabanda, Kigio and Kirwara (experimental) and Gakurari (control school). Baseline data were analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 and Nutri-Survey software using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The data were coded to search for emerging themes and gaps identified. On average, the mean mark in nutrition knowledge at baseline was 30.05%. In the posttests all experimental schools significantly improved in nutrition knowledge with the highest school scoring an average of 52% and lowest 40%. A total of 31.4 % pupils at baseline and 21.4% after interventions were found to be anaemic after altitude adjustments at a calculated factor 0.5 for Gatanga altitude (2237m ASL). Improvement in the adoption and use of the projects that enhance nutrition and health significantly occurred in the experimental schools as opposed to the control school. Pupils' haemoglobin status were not significantly different (p>0.05) between the experimental and control schools at baseline. However, notable differences in haemoglobin levels occurred in the experimental schools after the interventions. The relationship between nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake was positive and there was a significant relationship between nutrition knowledge and haemoglobin levels at p<0.05 (r=0.253, p=0.025). Anaemia was found to be a significant problem and therefore the need for a comprehensive intervention strategy by all stakeholders. The study findings would contribute towards operationalization of the Kenyan National School Health Policy and Guidelines, the National Food Security and Nutrition Policy in prevention and control of IDA by enhancing nutrition education.

Impact of Nutritional Health Education on Knowledge and Practices of Mothers of Anemic Children in El Othmanyia Village – Egypt

“…These results come in agreement with the results presented by Kumari and Dubey in Rajasthan (9.3 vs. 13.83) [26]. Other studies also showed comparable results in Kenya (9.87 vs. 39.29), Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (48.3 vs. 55), and Ghana (8.3 vs. 21.6) [27], [28], [29].…”

“…Analysis of the 24-h dietary recall of participants in this study revealed a significant increase in the mean daily intake of protein, Vitamin A, calcium, Iron, and zinc post-intervention and this comes in concordance with a study done in Kenya [27]. Another study conducted in Indonesia among 83 female adolescents aged 16-18 years students of the Hidayatullah Arrohmah Islamic Boarding School Malang showed that before the intervention 66% of respondents had low protein intake.…”

Nutrition Value of Biofortified Dry Land Arrowroots in Muranga County

“…In addition, respondents indicated that dry land arrowroots are tastier and filling and their large yield size gives ample food for the family. The study results correspond with Gitau et al, (2016) who argues that scarcity of minerals and vitamins associated with hidden hunger has significant problems to health and wellness. The respondents' commented that dry land arrowroots, tastes better and motivates production and consumption.…”

“…In addition, fast maturing food crops are essential for food security and fighting hidden hunger. This agreed with Gitau et al, (2016) who argues that hidden hunger is a significant problem where people consume food to fight hunger at the expense of nutritional value. Children consuming biofortified crops experienced fewer cases of anemia's among school going children from pre intervention and post intervention with fortified food crops demonstrate better health and nutritional security.…”

Role and Challenges of Women in Biofortified Dry Land Arrowroots Farming in Muranga County

“…The continued farming of staple foods has left vast soils experiencing degradation. Gitau et al (2016) in a study reported increasing cases of anemia and malnutrition among school going children in Kandara. The study revealed cases of hidden hunger among school going children associated with lack of diet diversification.…”