Borno Medical Journal January - June 2020 Vol. 17 Issue 1 Page 1 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Socio-demographic and Nutritional Assessment of Under five Children in Benue State North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Globally, malnutrition is a major public health concern. Under nutrition in Nigeria is a long standing problem since  independence and the magnitude is on the increase. This is so because food consumption both in quantity and quality has decreased  considerably due to unemployment and other harsh economic conditions.

Objectives: The study aimed at assessing the socio- demographic and Nutritional status of under- five Children in Benue State North Central Nigeria.

Methods: A cross sectional survey was  conducted using quantitative data collection methods. The study involved interviews using questionnaires for socio-demographic variables, immunization, breast feeding practices and anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Ninety  five percent confidence interval was used while a p- value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Two hundred and  twenty three under five children and their mothers were assessed for nutritional status using selected and sensitive anthropometric  methods. The results showed that children with mothers/caregivers without formal education had weight and height 36.4% and 70.5%  below normal respectively. Mothers with income less than twenty thousand per annum had children with height 53.3% below normal  while those earning above twenty thousand naira per year had weight 41.0% and height 62.9% below average respectively. Furthermore,  children without appropriate immunization for age had 29.9%, 53.2%, and 36.9% below normal for weight, height and mid upper arm  circumference respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between weight, height and mid upper arm circumference  with the age of children (p=0.00, 0.002, 0.001 respectively) with respect to their nutritional status.

Conclusion: The nutritional need of a  child is complex. There is need for proper nutritional education.