ABSTRACT

This study assessed the prevalence of malnutrition among children 2-5 years in Umuocham and Umuode Communities in Aba North LGA, Abia State. The study was a cross-sectional study. A random sampling technique was used to select a total of 382 children. Data on socio demographic and socio economic characteristics, feeding habits and anthropometric status of children were collected using structured and validated questionnaire. The IBM SPSS version 22.0 computer programme was used to analyse the data. WHO anthro was used to analyse the anthropometric status of children. Data obtained were presented using frequency and percentage. Pearson correlation was used to analyse the factors associated with malnutrition in children. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. The result from this study revealed that more than half (51.3%) of the children were male. Majority (99.2%) of the children were immunized and most (70.0%) of them were not exclusively breastfed. More than half (59.2% and 70.3%) of the mothers and fathers attended tertiary education. Prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight was 9.2%, 8.4%, 1.6% respectively. A significant association was observed among the sexes and ages for Height for age and Weight for Height status. There was also a significant association (p<0.05) between maternal income, maternal education and nutritional status of children. Sustained efforts must continue to prevent further rise and possibly eliminate the scourge of malnutrition in children. Nutrition programs addressing under nutrition among under-fives must continue and be expanded to include policies to prevent over and under nutrition and its attendant problems in the society.