| dc.description.abstract | A study was, carried out in two districts of Kitui and
Mwingi affected by drought in 1997. The main objective
of the study was to determine the nutritional status of
children aged 6 - 59 months and factors affecting it.
Using a structured and previously pilot tested
questionnaire, information was collected on: parental
education level, extent of food availability, child
nutritional status, morbidity patterns and coping
strategies In a cross-sectional survey of 491 and 485
households in Kitui and Mwingi districts respectively.
Results showed that the nutritional status of the
children was relatively poor in both districts, with
Kitui district having chronic malnutrition at 49.0%,
underweight at 39% and acute wasting at 7.8%, while
Mwingi district had, chronic malnutrition at 49.7%,
underweight at 36.6% and wasting at 8.1%. The factors
that contributed were inadequate dietary intake, high
morbidity patterns, poor availability of food and water
and low parental education level. The coping strategies
during drought were not well developed, making the
situation worse.
The study concluded that the nutritional status of the
underfives during drought is adversely affected by extent
of food and water availability and inadequate coping
strategies. | en |
