Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to assess parents’ knowledge, challenges, and strategies related to malnutrition in children aged 0-5 years within the Bolifamba community. Malnutrition poses a significant public health challenge, adversely affecting childhood growth and development. Understanding parental awareness and practices is crucial to developing effective interventions.

The primary objectives were to evaluate knowledge of malnutrition causes, identify barriers to prevention, and explore the strategies employed by parents. Method: A cross-sectional study design was utilized, involving a sample size of 146 parents from the Bolifamba community.

Data were collected through structured surveys and interviews that addressed demographic information, knowledge of malnutrition, challenges faced in prevention, and strategies used at home for child nutrition. Results: Findings indicated that a majority of parents had heard of malnutrition; however, many lacked a comprehensive understanding of its causes, particularly nutrient insufficiency.

Financial difficulties emerged as a prominent barrier to providing adequate nutrition, with cultural beliefs also influencing feeding practices. Additionally, while some parents engaged in home gardening, there was limited adherence to recommended practices such as exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: The study concludes that significant gaps exist in parental knowledge and practices regarding child nutrition in Bolifamba. The identified challenges, including financial constraints and cultural influences, hinder effective prevention of malnutrition among young children.

Recommendations: To address these issues, it is recommended to implement community-based educational programs focused on nutrition to enhance parental awareness. Additionally, enhancing financial support initiatives for families and promoting home gardening can improve access to nutritious food. Increasing access to health check-ups and providing culturally sensitive counseling will empower parents to adopt better feeding practices. Strengthening the role of community health workers is essential for ongoing support and education.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Malnutrition remains a major global public health concern, particularly among children under five years old. It is defined as a condition that arises from deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in nutrient intake, affecting physical growth, cognitive development, and overall health (WHO, 2021). The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 45% of child deaths worldwide are linked to malnutrition, with developing countries being the most affected (UNICEF, 2020). Malnutrition is classified into undernutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight), micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition (obesity and overweight) (Black et al., 2017).

The first five years of life are critical for growth and development, making adequate nutrition essential for survival, immunity, and long-term health outcomes. Inadequate breastfeeding, poor complementary feeding practices, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access contribute significantly to malnutrition in young children (FAO, 2021). Addressing this issue requires a combination of healthcare interventions, parental education, and government policies to improve food availability and nutrition programs.

Recent discussions on malnutrition emphasize its multifaceted causes and impacts, particularly in low-income settings. Malnutrition is not merely a result of food shortages but also linked to poverty, poor sanitation, infectious diseases, and inadequate maternal education (Bhutta et al., 2020). According to the Global Nutrition Report (2022), developing countries face an increasing burden of childhood malnutrition due to economic instability, climate change, and conflict. Moreover, the UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (2021) highlight that one in three children under five is either undernourished or overweight, demonstrating the complexity of the issue.

In sub-Saharan Africa, wasting (low weight-for-height) affects 7.1% of children, while 31.5% suffer from stunting (low height-for-age) (Kyu et al., 2019). Research shows that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, followed by proper complementary feeding, is crucial in preventing malnutrition (Jones et al., 2021). However, sociocultural beliefs, misinformation, and financial constraints often prevent parents from adopting these practices, necessitating interventions tailored to specific community needs.

In Cameroon, malnutrition remains a significant health issue, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas like Bolifamba, where socioeconomic disparities, inadequate healthcare services, and food insecurity contribute to high malnutrition rates (Nguefack et al., 2022). According to the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Cameroon (2018), 32% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition (stunting), while 5% experience acute malnutrition (wasting). Malnutrition in Cameroon is driven by poverty, poor infant feeding practices, inadequate maternal education, and limited access to healthcare facilities (Ngongang et al., 2023). The situation is worsened by seasonal food shortages, economic instability, and the ongoing Anglophone crisis, which has displaced families and disrupted food supply chains.

In Bolifamba, many parents struggle to provide nutritionally balanced meals for their children due to financial constraints and lack of awareness of proper feeding practices. While government programs and NGOs have made efforts to improve child nutrition, gaps remain in community-based interventions, parental education, and access to affordable nutritious foods. Understanding the challenges parents face in preventing malnutrition and identifying effective home-based strategies can help policymakers and healthcare providers design targeted interventions to reduce childhood malnutrition in Cameroon.

Malnutrition is a pressing issue with severe consequences on child health, development, and survival. While global and regional efforts have been made to combat malnutrition, challenges persist, particularly in low-resource communities like Bolifamba. Parents play a critical role in ensuring proper nutrition for their children, yet they face multiple barriers, including economic hardship, food insecurity, lack of nutritional knowledge, and cultural influences.

Exploring the specific challenges and home-based strategies used by parents in Bolifamba will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of current interventions and highlight areas for improvement. This study aims to contribute to the growing body of research on child malnutrition, providing data-driven recommendations to enhance parental education, strengthen community nutrition programs, and ultimately improve child health outcomes in Cameroon and similar settings.

1.2 Problem Statement

Malnutrition among children under five remains a major global health crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to UNICEF (2023), approximately 149 million children worldwide suffer from stunting, while 45 million experiences wasting, both of which increase the risk of mortality and long-term developmental issues. The Global Nutrition Report (2022) highlights that sub-Saharan Africa faces the highest burden of childhood malnutrition due to poverty, food insecurity, inadequate healthcare services, and poor maternal education.

In Cameroon, reports indicate that 32% of children under five are stunted, while 5% suffer from acute malnutrition (DHS, 2018). Despite various global and national interventions, malnutrition rates remain alarmingly high, especially in rural and semi-urban areas like Bolifamba. Parents, who are the primary caregivers, face multiple challenges in ensuring proper nutrition for their children, including economic hardship, lack of nutritional knowledge, and cultural beliefs that influence feeding practices.

In Bolifamba, the issue of child malnutrition is exacerbated by limited access to affordable nutritious food, inadequate healthcare services, and a lack of awareness regarding proper child feeding practices. Many parents struggle to provide balanced diets due to low income, seasonal food shortages, and the high cost of nutrient-rich foods. Furthermore, common misconceptions about infant feeding, such as early introduction of solid foods and discontinuation of breastfeeding, contribute to poor nutritional outcomes.

While some community-based initiatives have been implemented to address malnutrition, the effectiveness of home-based strategies remains underexplored. Understanding the challenges parents face and the strategies they employ to prevent malnutrition is crucial in developing effective interventions that are both sustainable and culturally acceptable. This study seeks to bridge that gap by examining the barriers to proper child nutrition and identifying practical home-based solutions that parents in Bolifamba use to combat malnutrition

1.3 Research Objectives

 1.3.1 General Objective

To investigate the challenges parents face and the strategies they use in the home management and prevention of malnutrition in children. (0-5 years) in the Bolifamba community

1.3.2 Specific Objectives

1. To assess parents’ knowledge of the causes of malnutrition in children (0-5 years) in the Bolifamba community
2. To examine the challenges parents, face in the home prevention of malnutrition in children. (0-5 years) in the Bolifamba community
3. To identify the strategies parents use to prevent malnutrition in children at home.(0-5 years) in the Bolifamba community

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