Abstract

Malnutrition is a condition caused by an improper balance between what an individual eats and what is required to maintain health. Malnutrition is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide, especially in children who are still undergoing growths and development. The first two years of life are considered to be the window of opportunities where we can improve the well-being of a child. The major causes of malnutrition are, food in security, poor access to good quality health and Sanitation source and lack of awareness and education.

A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used in the study. A convenient sampling technique was used in this study. A well-structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection in this study. Data was analyzed with the use of SPSS.

The result obtained showed that, majority of the participants 51(85.0%) showed having adequate knowledge on malnutrition. Based on the knowledge on the prevention of malnutrition in children, a significant portion of the participants 60(100%) knew that malnutrition is preventable. The main challenge cited in the prevention of malnutrition in this study was limited finances 31 (51.7%).

There is a high level of knowledge on malnutrition in children as majority of the respondents knew that malnutrition in children is the is insufficient, excessive or unbalanced consumption of nutrients. The most cited challenge faced by mothers in the prevention of malnutrition in this study was limited finances 31(51.7%). RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that Mal-nourished children require medical attention and support. Therefore, health centers and hospitals should provide support for malnourished children, including treatment, counseling, and support for their families.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Malnutrition is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide, especially in children who are still undergoing growth and development. The first two years of life are considered to be the window of opportunities where we can improve the well-being of a child (WHO 2014).

According to Jayshree in  2016 defined malnutrition as to be insufficient excessive or imbalanced consumption of nutrients. Also, Tanya (2012) defined malnutrition as the condition caused by an improper balance between what an individual eats and what is required to maintain health.

An additional finding by Ogunrinade, 2010 pointed out that, in most developing countries, the standard of living of people are poor not in term of having less to eat and drink. In most cases, malnutrition prevents children from reaching a long-lasting to eat and drink. According to the World Bank (2013), the major causes of malnutrition and childcare practices, are family food insecurity, poor access to good quality health and sanitation sources, lack of awareness and education. Hence the need of the mother the direct caregiver of the Child to have adequate knowledge of the means to prevent malnutrition in children.

The majority of studies on child nutritional status have described the prevalence of malnutrition among under five years children and analyzed demographic and Cultural factors associated with child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa (Pongu et al, 2010) Malnutrition can be classified into two namely, Protein energy malnutrition resulting from deficiencies in any or all nutrients and micronutrient deficiency diseases resulting from a deficiency of specific micronutrient. The national health services (2013) characterized children with malnutrition to have among many other signs, breathing difficulties, tiredness fatigue instability. Once nutrition is treated, adequate growth is an indication of health and recovery. Even though after recovering from severe malnutrition. Children always remain stunted for the rest of their lives (Walker 2013)

Cameroon faces a high burden of malnutrition among children, with multiple forms of malnutrition coexisting. According to the Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2018 (National Institute of Statistics – Cameroon, 2018), the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five years old was 31.7%, 6.3%, and 19.3%, respectively. These figures indicate a pressing need to address malnutrition and its underlying causes to improve child health outcomes.

Malnutrition is a significant public health concern in Cameroon, particularly among children aged 1-5 years. According to the National Institute of Statistics in Cameroon, the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five years old is 31.7%, 6.3%, and 19.3%, respectively (National Institute of Statistics – Cameroon, 2018). This indicates a substantial burden of malnutrition in this age group.

Understanding the knowledge and practices of mothers is crucial for developing effective interventions to prevent and address malnutrition in children. Previous research has highlighted the importance of maternal knowledge and practices in influencing child nutrition outcomes. For example, a study conducted in Cameroon by Simo Fotso et al. (2019) found that maternal education and knowledge about proper feeding practices were associated with a lower risk of malnutrition in children.

1.2 Problem Statement

The world health organization (WHO) estimated that malnutrition accounts for 54% of child mentality worldwide (Walker, 2010). According to the 2011 reviews, an estimated 178 million children under age 5 are stunted. Most of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the Cameroon DHS, (2016), Cameroon under 5 mortality rate (144 deaths per 1000 births) indicates that 14% 0f children born in Cameroon will die before their 5^th birthday. In Cameroon according to Dorch, (2013), UNICEF estimates that 75616 children under the age of 5 are at risk of severe acute malnutrition in the North and Far North region of the country and that 145000 children under the age of 5 will have stunted growth.

Furthermore, according to Cameroon DHS,(2016) is that 29% of all deaths that occur in Cameroon before age 5 are related to malnutrition ( severe and moderate malnutrition). The nutrition of children 5 years and younger depends strongly on the nutrition of their mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding (Sue, 2013). Those children are future of the society and mothers are the guidance of the future (WHO 2014): thus the need to carry out research: the mother is knowledge of the prevention of malnutrition in children aged 1-5 years.

1.3 Research Questions

1) What knowledge do mothers have on malnutrition in children 1-5years in the Muea community?

2) What knowledge do mothers’ have on the prevention of malnutrition in children 1-5years in the Muea community?

3) What are the challenges faced by mothers’ in the prevention of malnutrition in children 1-5years in the Muea community?

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