Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Assessing the Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Malnutrition Among Children Under the Age of Five in Ugbor Primary Healthcare, Benin City

Blackie O.H., Edebiri O.E., Oyakhire M.O., Ifiabor L. W., Omoiri A.D., Omende K., Orunta E. D.

Abstract


Because it raises rates of illness and mortality, malnutrition is still a major public health concern, especially for children under five. Children's nutritional status is greatly influenced by socioeconomic conditions, which also affect access to quality food, medical treatment, and education. This study assessed the impact of socioeconomic factors on malnutrition among children under five attending Ugbor Primary Healthcare, Benin City. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. A random sampling technique was used to select participants, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for data analysis, with results presented using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The results showed that employment status, household income, and maternal education all had a substantial impact on the prevalence of malnutrition. Of those surveyed, 52.1% admitted that high food costs made it difficult to obtain balanced meals, and 53.6% felt that maternal education was essential for children's nutrition. Additionally, 55.1% of respondents indicated that demanding jobs affected mothers' ability to provide adequate nutrition, and 56.5% agreed that rural dwellers faced higher malnutrition risks due to limited resources. The study also found that 63.8% of respondents identified stunted growth, frequent illnesses, and developmental delays as common consequences of malnutrition. The study highlights the significant influence of socioeconomic factors on childhood malnutrition, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Reducing malnutrition rates requires raising economic stability, improving maternal education, and raising nutritional awareness. Comprehensive nutrition education should be provided by healthcare professionals, and the government should enact laws that promote food security and provide vulnerable families with financial help. To improve overall child health outcomes, women should prioritize the best methods for feeding their infants and children, and community-based programs should support sustainable food sources.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Ahmad, D., Afzal, M., & Imtiaz, A. (2020). Effect of socioeconomic factors on malnutrition among children in Pakistan. Future Business Journal, 6, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-020-00022-3

Basargekar, P., Priyadarshini, S., Seth, S., & Ganjoo, V. (2021). Impact of socio-economic factors in reducing malnutrition among children: A comparative study of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, 16(3), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.24083/apjhm.v16i3.935

Curi-Quinto, K., Ortiz-Panozo, E., & De Romaña, D. L. (2020). Malnutrition in all its forms and socio-economic disparities in children under five years of age and women of reproductive age in Peru. Public Health Nutrition, 23(S1), s89–s100. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980019003235

Devereux, S., Jonah, C., & May, J. (2019). How many malnourished children are there in South Africa? What can be done? In Putting children first: New frontiers in the fight against poverty in Africa (pp. 157–186). CROP International Poverty Studies. https://doi.org/10.31389/lsepress.pcf.k

Elmighrabi, N. F., Fleming, C. A., Dhami, M. V., & Agho, K. E. (2023). Childhood undernutrition in North Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Global Health Action, 16(1), 2240158. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2023.2240158

Guyatt, H., Muiruri, F., Mburu, P., & Robins, A. (2020). Prevalence and predictors of underweight and stunting among children under 2 years of age in Eastern Kenya. Public Health Nutrition, 23(9), 1599–1608. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980019003776

Hall, J., Walton, M., Van Ogtrop, F., Guest, D., Black, K., & Beardsley, J. (2020). Factors influencing undernutrition among children under 5 years from cocoa-growing communities in Bougainville. BMJ Global Health, 5(8), e002478. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002478

Islam, M. R., Rahman, M. S., Rahman, M. M., Nomura, S., De Silva, A., Lanerolle, P., & Rahman, M. M. (2020). Reducing childhood malnutrition in Bangladesh: The importance of addressing socio-economic inequalities. Public Health Nutrition, 23(1), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001900218X

Khadse, R., & Bansod, D. (2021). Socio-economic inequality in malnutrition among under-five children in India. Journal of Social and Economic Development, 23(1), 168–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-021-00151-0

Katoch, O. R. (2022). Determinants of malnutrition among children: A systematic review. Nutrition, 96, 111565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2021.111565

Mbabazi, E., & Kanyamuhunga, A. (2021). Prevalence of anemia and associated socio-economic determinants amongst malnourished children aged 6–59 months at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Kigali (CHUK): A retrospective observational study. Rwanda Medical Journal, 78(3), 29–36.

Nwachukwu, B., Kakamor, M. D., Usman, N. O., Omole, V. N., & Oyefabi, A. M. (2023). Knowledge and preventive practices regarding malnutrition among mothers of under-fives in Kaduna North Local Government Area: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Sciences, 20(2), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.4103/jcls.jcls_39_22

Siddiqui, F., Salam, R. A., Lassi, Z. S., & Das, J. K. (2020). The intertwined relationship between malnutrition and poverty. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 453. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00453


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.