A Study on Under Five Nutritional Status and its Determinants in a Semi-Rural Community of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ten variables were assessed as they influence the under five (U5) nutritional status of children at Oranfe, a semi-rural community in Ife East Local Government Area of Osun state, Nigeria. The two types of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) that are prevalent in the community are stunting and wasting. Of the 230 children assessed using Waterlow's technique, 23% and 22.6% were stunted and wasted respectively. The results confirmed that mothers' educational level, age, parity, types of family and children's immunization status and age are some of the key determinants of nutritional status of U5 children. The intensification of exclusive breast feeding, female education, a compulsory food demonstration unit in all health centres, use of complementary feeds from 7 months upwards, growth monitoring and promotion are some of the strategies to reduce the high prevalence of PEM in both rural and urban areas of developing countries.