ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract: This study investigates the assessment of socioeconomic factors on Nutritional status of under-five children in economically disadvantaged families in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Quantitative research design was adopted and a sample size of 400 was arrived at from a population of 1,025,100; and these samples made up the number of questionnaires that were distributed; while the purposive/judgmental sampling technique was used for analyzing the data gathered through structured questionnaire. The empirical analysis showed that socioeconomic factors also have significant effect on Nutritional status of under-five children; and it was also revealed from the study that socioeconomic factor has a significant and positive effect on the nutritional status of under-five years children in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. These were attributed to the educational level of parents (EDU), income level of parents (INC) and accessibility of parent to healthcare services (AHC). Based on these findings, the study recommends that Efficient health care services that are well equipped should be in every community, for easy access. The government and private sector should create job opportunity for both educated and non-educated parent to do in other to increase their income. Government should provide health education for parent’s base on their nutrition knowledge with regards to buying foods ingredients with required calorie mix for infant nutritional needs