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- Title
Recent Illness, Feeding Practices and Father's Education as Determinants of Nutritional Status among Preschool Children in a Rural Nigerian Community.
- Authors
Balogun, Titilola B.; Yakubu, Alhassan M.
- Abstract
Good nutrition is necessary for the growth and development of preschool children. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, data on the determinants of their nutritional status are lacking. A cross-sectional survey of 366 preschool children was conducted in a rural community in northern Nigeria. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken and information about feeding practices, immunization and parental education was obtained from their mothers. Fifty-two percent were stunted, 30% were underweight and 25% were wasted. Recent history of diarrhea was associated with wasting (OR¼2.66, p<0.001). Children whose fathers had postsecondary education were less likely to be stunted (OR¼0.45, p¼0.01) or underweight (OR¼0.37, p¼0.005). Promoting exclusive breastfeeding, preventing recurrent diarrhea and including fathers in community interventions will improve the health of children in this community.
- Subjects
PRESCHOOL children; CHILD nutrition; ANTHROPOMETRY; FATHER-child relationship; POSTSECONDARY education; HEALTH
- Publication
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 2015, Vol 61, Issue 2, p92
- ISSN
0142-6338
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/tropej/fmu070