Nutritional status of primary school children in Usigu division, Siaya district, Kenya
Abstract
In this study, 720 (360 males and 360 females) primary school pupils in Usigu
Division of Siaya District of Kenya were studied in order to establish their
nutritional status. The pupils were aged between 10 and 17 years and were all in
class five and six.
A total of 19 out of 38 primary schools in Usigu division of Siaya District were
systematically sampled for the study. The selected schools formed the study
sample and all the pupils from class five and six were eligible for participation.
The study employed three methods of data collection namely: anthropometric
measurements, biochemical analysis, and clinical examination.
The findings indicate that 20% of the children were stunted with males having
higher levels of stunting (13.5%) than females (6.9%) and 16% were
underweight again with levels higher among males (12%) than females (4%).
From the biochemical findings, the study showed that 41% of the pupils were
anemic with males having a higher percentage (23%) than females (18%) while
24% of them were vitamin A deficient again with males having higher levels
(15%) than females (9%). These findings were put through multiple regression
analysis and it was proved that they were statistically significant except for
anemia.
The study also established that malnutrition increased with the age of the child
regardless of sex. Using correlation analysis, it was also evident that there was a
positive linear correlation between poor nutrition and age. The study further
showed that most of the pupils suffered multiple nutritional problems. For
example, 12% of the stunted pupils and 9% of the underweight children were
anemic and 5% each of the stunted and underweight pupils were vitamins A
deficient.
These results point towards a need to focus more on the school children in order
to address their nutritional problems. It is clear from this study that school
children in Usigu face serious malnutrition problems. It is also clear that male
children are at a higher risk of undernutrition than females at this age, further
research to identify the causes underlying these findings are recommended.
More detailed information especially on household food accessibility will help
explain some of the underlying factors influencing the nutritional status of these
children. There is also need to assess the other environmental factors like
morbidity patterns and how they relate to nutritional status of school children.
Some of the crucial information is one relating to helminthes infections and their
influence on food intake among school children.
Citation
Master of Science in Applied Human NutritionPublisher
University of Nairobi Department of Food and Nutrition Technology