Assessment of Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing Nutritional Status of Children Under-Five Years in Selected Basic Health Care Centres Akure, Ondo State

Abstract

Malnutrition is a public health problem which is associated with high mortality and morbidity in children under five years. This study aimed to assess the socio-cultural factors influencing children of under-five years in selected basic health care centres, Akure, Ondo State. A cross sectional study was used in which a total of 150 mothers participated in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered to the mothers which was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 28. Findings from this study revealed that 72 (48%) of the mothers have poor knowledge of on adequate nutrition and 58 (39%) have moderate knowledge. The study on the socio-cultural factors influencing the nutritional status of under five children also revealed that 57% in disagree that eating pineapple when pregnant may result in the baby being born blind. 55% of the respondents agreed that consumption of beans can cause ear problem in children while 37% disagreed and 8% strongly disagreed. 74% disagreed in cumulative that children are not supposed to be given eggs to prevent them from stealing while 27% in cumulative agreed to this fact. 53% strongly disagree that children should be given more food than female children while 20% agreed that they should. This discoveries obviously show that not only the majority of the mothers are quite knowledgeable about malnutrition, a reasonable amount of the mothers tend to still believe the socio-cultural factors influencing nutritional status of under-five years children. Therefore, it will be crucial that health institutions at all levels should integrate nutrition as a health component and there is a need to educate the parents to provide age-appropriate energy-rich, locally available and nutritionally balanced food items.