| dc.description.abstract | This comparative study was carried out betwe-en· members and
non members of women groups living in Msambweni Location, Kwale
district. The aim of the study was to identify characteristics
of mothers and households that distinguish women from both
groups and establish their relationship with the nutritional
status of children. Complementary data were collected on the
particular determinants of nutritional status in the Digo
conununity. Data were collected using structured questionnaires,
key informant and focus group discussions, and anthropometry.
Mothers were purposively categorized as either women groups
members or non-members. Fifty mothers were randomly selected for
each stratum. The nutritional status of 100 children from the
two groups of mothers was also determined and compared. From a
randomly selected community sample of 100 households, variables
associated to the nutritional status of children under five
years were determined.
The results show combined variables that distinguish a
member from a non-member of women groups. Mothers in women
groups were mostly from monogamous families, their households
spent more money on food and the index child was on average
cede r than the one of non-members. The results also indicate
that a significantly higher number of women groups households
had radios, a better food score and smaller acreage of land. _It
was also found that the level of unemployment was higher among
members of WGs and they were 'visited fewer times by heaith
workers. Thus, members of women groups seem to be of higher
socia-economic status when compared to their counterparts.
Nevertheless" high rate of stunting was a problem in both groups
but children of non-members appeared to be worse off.
High illiteracy, high unemployment, poor earnings from
income generating activities, cultural practices and beliefs,
poor farming. practices, inadequate nutrition .knowl.edqeand poor
feeding patterns are some of the constraints towards proper
child nutrition status. This implies- that differential
characteristics of mothers in women groups do not have a strong
impact on the nutritional status of their children. Hence, the
nutritional status is mainly a function of characteristics
common to both groups and the community.
Intervention is needed to improve maternal child care and
weaning practices, maternal income, family education and wealth.
However any intervention strategy should be based on the
specificity of each group for successful outcome. | en |
