Health, nutrition and sanitation baseline survey with reference to children aged 6 to 59 months in Nyakacho, Kericho District, Kenya.

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey of consumption patterns and dietary practices was carried out in Nyakacho, Motobo Division, Kericho District in Kenya from July to August 2004. The main objective of the study was to determine the health, nutrition and sanitation situation in Nyakacho, Kericho in order to provide baseline data for planning of an intervention project A random sample of a total of 300 households in four clusters was proportionately and randomly selected. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demography, socioeconomic factors, food production and consumption. Principal determinants of health and nutrition of under-five children were analyzed Emphasis was placed on health and nutrition related factors such as morbidity, immunization, role of breastfeeding, food availability & food consumption factors. Dietary intakes were determined using a 24-hour recall method for 30 household members in the 300 households. Anthropometrical measurements were carried out on all children to determine their nutritional status. Focused group discussions and observations were undertaken to obtain information on dietary practices. The level of malnutrition in the study area was high, with GAM levels of 23.6%. Most households were food insecure with only about 42% relying on own food produce, 29% purchasing and 155% on relatives. The morbidity is high among the children as reported in 44.3% of the children. The level of immunization is very low as very few children have been fully immunized, 210% for polio, 127% for DPT, while 534°/rj had a visible BeG scar and 514% has received measles vaccination About 41% of the households do not have access to safe drinking water as they rely on the rivers and open wells as their main source of water. The results showed that the nutritional status of the preschool children had a strong positive correlation with access to a latrine (r = 052) and ownership of cattle (r = 0.27). Morbidity patterns was found to negatively affect the health and nutrition status of children (r =- 0.02). Prolonged breastfeeding was found to negatively affect the nutritional status of children r = -0.03. Age was also strongly negatively correlated with the child's nutritional status (r = -0.02). In conclusion, these variables will be useful in identifying households, geographic areas, and socio-economic groups at risk in order to target programme interventions of general benefits to the vulnerable groups. The recommendations are: (I). Improving water and sanitation conditions (2). Establishing immunization programmes (3). Promotion of better weaning practices when children are no longer fully breastfed The study achieved its objective of providing baseline figures. The survey results will help maintain focus on the most important nutrition problems and provide indicators to help track progress in order to improve quality and coverage of priority nutrition interventions.