Common nutrition problems among children in Oyo East Local

RESUMO

The study examined the common nutritional problems among children in Oyo East Local Government Area of Oyo State. A descriptive research design was used; while the study population consisted of nurses and nursing mothers. These people represented the group of respondents used in the study. In all; one hundred and fifty respondents in the area of study were randomly selected. The variables tested in the area of study include common nutritional problems like kwarshiorkor; marasmus; anaemia and ricket among many others. Data was collected through the use of a self-designed questionnaire; duly validated and tested for reliability. The two results of test retest methods were later compared and correlation co-efficient of 0.65r was obtained; the level of correlation is onsidered acceptable for the study. The data was processed using simple percentage; mean score and chi-square at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The result revealed that children in Oyo East Local Government do not significantly suffer from the most common nutritional deficiencies diseases such as kwashiorkor; marasmus; anaemia and ricket. Based on the findings; It was recommended among others that adequate balanced diet should be given to children; through advocacy and antenatal education. Also; the health workers should encourage and educate nursing mothers on the importance of proper de-worming of children from time to time to prevent worm infestation which may lead to nutritional anaemia and to avoid cultural taboos that prevent children and nursing mothers from eating proteineous food like meat and snail among many others