Prevalence of child malnutrition and factors associated with it: a case study of Morogoro urban
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Date
1992
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The problem of malnutrition is chronic all over the world, and protein-energy malnutrition
(PEM)
is
the commonest form of malnutrition especially in developing
countries.
This study examined the prevalence of child
malnutrition and factors associated with it in Morogoro Urban, Tanzania.
Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using
a
pre-tested questionnaire
to
a
sample
of
198 mother-child pairs drawn randomly from those attending maternal and child health (MCH) clinics in Morogoro Urban.
Questionnaires were also administered to MCH coordinators (Nutrition Rehabilitation Unit) workers/nurses. Secondary data were collected from other relevant sources. Statistics
such
as
frequencies,
means,
median, standard deviations and percentages were calculated.
Chi-squares, multiple regression, correlation coefficient and Path Coefficient analysis were performed.
Results showed that malnutrition rate in Morogoro Urban is
still high. More than 30 percent of sampled children were malnourished.
The most prevalent
forms
of
malnutrition
were: underweight followed by Kwashiorkor and Marasmus.
The
factors
associated with malnourished are
analysed,
discussed and reported.
Recommendations given to alleviate the malnutrition problem in Morogoro Urban included among others: the need
for
a
multidisciplinary
action
programme
on
nutrition
education at household level; mothers should be encouraged
to engage in income generating projects; the need for the
Government to subsidize the costs in hiring tractors for
cultivation and mothers should be encouraged to wean and
feed their children as recommended.
The Government and other relevant institutions should
ensure that women have access to appropriate technologies
to reduce their heavy workload.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Malnutrition, Protein Energy Malnutrition, Mother-child malnutrition