Factors Contributing To The High Level Of Malnutrition In The Assin District

Abstract

A study into some factors contributing to the high level of malnutrition among children aged less than five years was carried out in the Assin district of the Central Region of Ghana. It was a cross sectional descriptive study involving a sample size of 326 children aged between three and five years . A questionnaire was administered to the mother/caregiver of each child selected for the survey. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were taken for each child. The anthropometric measurements were analysed using Epi info and compared to the United States National Center for Health Statistics reference figures. There was 34.2% and 26.0% moderate and severe wasting respectively. Moderate underweight was 31.6% while severe underweight was 18.9%. Moderate stunting was 10.2% with severe stunting being 4.1%. Factors contributing to undemutrition in the district include poor child care and feeding practices, the scarcity/high cost of food items and illness. It is recommended that health workers should improve on the health information and education offered to mothers on the proper nutrition and care of their children. Home visiting should be undertaken by health workers to identify specific factors in the child’s environment which impact on his/her health, so appropriate solutions can be effected. Efforts should be made to improve on household income and the availability of food throughout the year. Water supply and sanitation should be improved throughout the district.