Perceived Causes and Prevention of Malnutrition Among Primary School Pupils in Ilorin East Local Government, Kwara State

ABSTRACT

The study examined the incidence of malnutrition among children in the Ilorin East Local Government area of Kwara State. The objective of the study is to explore sickness as a result of malnutrition among children, investigate the majority of children as a result of the malnutrition among children, low body resistance to diseases, stunted growth as a result of malnutrition among children and succumb to infections as a result of malnutrition among children in Ilorin East Local Government Area. A descriptive research design was adopted in the study that consisted of the population of households that have children of age between 5 to 12 years old in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. A sample two hundred (200) respondents were selected from low-income households because that is where poverty can be found most which brings about malnutrition of children. Structured questionnaire titled incidence of Malnutrition among Children’s Questionnaire (IMCQ) validated by three (3) experts in the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education and yielded reliability coefficient ‘r’ of 0.64 tested with Pearson product – moment Correlation. Chi – square square (x2) statistical tool was employed in the study to test two (2) hypotheses formulated at 0.05 level of significance.

          The findings of the study revealed that sickness is a significant result of malnutrition among children in Ilorin East Local Government Area since the calculated value (71.86) > table value (16.92), mortality of children is a significant result of malnutrition among children since the calculated value (55.84) > table value (16.92). Indicated that low body resistance to diseases is a significant result of malnutrition since calculated value (40.67) > table value (16.92), stunted growth is a significant result of lastly, succumb to infections is a significant result of malnutrition among children in Ilorin East Local Government Area since calculated value (82.13) > table value (16.92) at 0.05 level of significance.  The study concluded that, malnutrition can significantly lead to sickness among children; mortality of children resulted as a consequence of malnutrition among children, stunted growth was as a result of malnutrition among children, low body resistance to diseases is caused by malnutrition and succumb to infections is a significant result of malnutrition among children in Ilorin East Local Government area. The recommendation was therefore made that it other to curtail the occurrence of sickness and stunted growth among infants, balance diet should be take into consideration while feeding children and also, infants should be fed orally using a cup, spoon or syrings and nasogastric tube if there is impaired consciousness or there is vomiting, tachypnea, or painful stomatitis which can avoid morality of children.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Contents                                                                                 Page

Title page                                                                                              i

Certification                                                                                          ii

Dedication                                                                                             iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                 iv

Abstract                                                                                                v

Chapter One                                      INTRODUCTION                   1

Background of the Study                                                                     1

Statement of the Problem                                                                     5

Purpose of the Study                                                                            6

Research Questions                                                                              7

Research Hypothesis                                                                            7

Significance of the Study                                                                     8

Delimitations of the Study                                                                   8

Operational Definition of Term                                                            8

Chapter Two                                 INTRODUCTION                   11

Introduction                                                                                          11

Definition of the Concept Malnutrition                                                12

Malnutrition in Africa                                                                           13

Malnutrition among children and its Influence on Body                    15

Reducing Malnutrition among Children                                              16

Prevalence and Determinants of Malnutrition among Pre – School children 20

Risk Factors of Malnutrition                                                                21

Classifications of Malnutrition                                                             21

Child Malnutrition and Cognitive Development                                  22

Management of Severe Malnutrition                                                    23

Malnutrition with Co-Morbidities                                                        25

Outcomes of Malnutrition                                                                    27

Appraisal of Literature Reviewed                                                         27

Chapter Three     RESEARCH METHOD                                           31

Introduction                                                                                          31

Research Design                                                                                   31

Population of the Study                                                                        32

Sample and Sampling Procedure                                                         32

Instrument for Data Collection                                                            32

Validity of the instrument                                                                    33

Reliability of the instrument                                                                33

Procedure for Data Collection                                                              34

Method of Data Analysis                                                                      34

Chapter Four      DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS            35

Presentation of Data