TITLE:
Nutrition Status of Children Under-Five Years in Cassava Consuming Communities in Nambale, Busia of Western Kenya
AUTHORS:
Rhoda Azikoyo Nungo, Michael Wandayi Okoth, Samuel Kuria Mbugua
KEYWORDS:
Cassava; Children; Nutritional Status; Utilization
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.3 No.6,
June
20,
2012
ABSTRACT: A study was carried out to assess the nutritional status of under-five child population within cassava consuming community in Nambale of western Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio economic data, 24-hour food re-call and anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics were used while Pearson’s Chi Square and correlation coefficient (R) were used to test for statistical associations. A total of 320 households with 232 children participated. The findings showed nutrition status of children to be poor (50% changes in stunting could not be attributed to age of child or education level of the head of household. Farm ownership was a strong positive determinant of nutrition status, Pearson’s R = 0.233. This study has established that cassava cushions hunger and there is need to improve nutrient content.