Cultural Determinants Associated with Malnutrition in Children Aged 6-59 Months in West Pokot County, Kenya

• Main Authors: Anthony Kipkoech Koross (Author), Gordon Nguka (Author), Everlyne Morema (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.61186/pcnm.13.3.27; 2588-4441; 2588-445X
• Keywords: malnutrition; whz; food taboos; cultural practices; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal, Vol 13, Iss 3, Pp 27-39 (2023)

Background: Malnutrition is deficiencies or excess nutrients by an individual. Includes under-nutrition and micronutrient-related malnutrition. It causes about half of all fatalities in children below five years; increases the chance of a child dying from common ailments. Cultural determinants are associated with malnutrition of ages 6-59 months. Objectives: The study sought to establish the determinants contributing to child malnutrition in West Pokot County of Kenya. Methods: This was cross sectional study. Multistage cluster sampling was applied. Anthropometric measures of 420 children aged 6-59 months in Pokot North Sub-County were assessed. Data was collected from August-September, 2022 using online questionnaire. Pretesting was done for validity and reliability. SPSS v.2022 used for data analysis. Chi-Square and Odds Ratios and Confidence intervals were used to test variables. Results: Mean (SD) age of the respondents' children was 29.9 (16.0). Over 60% of children were below 35 weeks. Children with 0-11 months had lower representation (15.2%). 82.4% had one younger sibling. Monogamy (76.8%) had fewer malnutrition cases (OR: 0.5; P=0.015). Violence was high and had impact on malnutrition (34.5%). Traditional food restrictions caused malnutrition (OR:1.8; 95% CI:1.2-2.8; P=0.006). Conclusion: There is evidence that some cultural aspects: types of marriage, caretaker violence and food taboos contribute to malnutrition in children aged 6-59 months in West Pokot County. Awareness on harmful cultural practices should be implemented. More studies should be done to establish why cultural practices still exist.