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.