dc.description.abstract | Malnutrition remains a major threat to child survival, growth and development in Kenya. To
mitigate this threat, cassava, a crop that was initially seen as a poor man’s crop, has received
intensive promotion in East Africa, Kenya included. The current study was part of a larger
intervention project known as the Eastern Africa Agricultural Productivity Project(EAAPP)
which together with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO),
was undertaken to promote research in cassava as well as ensure increased production and
utilization of cassava in different parts of Kenya, particularly Western and Coastal regions. The
main objective of this study was to establish the contribution of cassava to nutrition of children
2-5 years and their primary care givers in coastal Kenya.
The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale Counties.
Multi-stage sampling was used, where 20 villages were selected in the region, in which a total of
220 households were randomly selected. Data was collected on household demographic
characteristics, cassava production and consumption, dietary diversity of 2-5 years old children,
their morbidity experiences and anthropometric measurements which included weight, height
and the mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were taken and the age of each child recorded.
Eight samples from two cassava varieties were collected from KALRO Mtwapa for laboratory
analysis to determine the effects of boiling on cyanide and protein content. A semi-structured
questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire and dietary diversity questionnaire were the main
tools used to collect the data. Results were analyzed using the statistical package for social
scientists (SPSS), Nutri-survey and ENA for SMART softwares.
Respondents for this study were the primary care givers of the children, mostly mothers. The
results showed that households in Coastal Kenya had a mean of 5 people, with a sex distribution
of 45% males and 55% females. Sixty three per cent of the households were farming households,
out of which 88% produced cassava in addition to other crops. About 98% of the households
consume cassava, most preferred variety being Kibanda Meno by 54% of the households.
Primary care-givers obtained up to 28% of their daily energy from cassava every consumption
time, while children obtained approximately 22% of their daily energy requirements from
cassava every consumption time. Boiling resulted in losses of protein and cyanide in the two
varieties of cassava analyzed. Significant (p<0.05) losses were noted in protein content of
Kibanda Meno roots and leaves. The mean dietary diversity score of the children was found to be
5.2 with a standard deviation of 1.45. This was above the expected dietary mean score of 4. Food
consumption patterns indicated that the children consumed various protein rich foods more than
3 times in a week, which, together with appropriate dietary diversification, serves as a positive
step towards preventing cases of protein energy malnutrition (PEM).
Nutritional status of the children showed that more than 90% of the children had normal weight
for age and weight for height. However, stunting levels, which indicate chronic malnutrition,
showed that 22% of the children were moderately stunted, while 7% were severely stunted,
indicating prolonged periods of food shortage. About 94% of the children had received all the
necessary immunizations, although more than 50% of the children were found to have been sick
two weeks prior to the survey.
It can be concluded that cassava serves as a good source of energy for children and primary care
givers in Coastal Kenya. Majority of the children had normal levels for the three indicators of
malnutrition assessed. However, due to the low nutrient content of cassava, adequate dietary
diversification is required in order to meet dietary requirements and prevent deficiencies. | en_US |