INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL MIGRATION ON DIETARY PATTERN AND NUTRITIONAL BALANCE OF PASTORALIST FULANI CHILDREN (6-59MONTHS) IN KAJURU L.G.A, KADUNA STATE
INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL MIGRATION ON DIETARY PATTERN AND NUTRITIONAL BALANCE OF PASTORALIST FULANI CHILDREN (6-59MONTHS) IN KAJURU L.G.A, KADUNA STATE
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Date
2018-04
Authors
NURAINI, Aisha
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Abstract
Seasonal effects on child growth have rarely been investigated and very little information exists on the nutritional status of pastoralist Fulani children (6-59months). Data from such study could serve as a baseline for future studies, as well as informed public health policy. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of seasonal migration on dietary pattern and nutritional balance of pastoralist Fulani children (6-59months) in Kajuru L.G.A. A semi structured and food frequency questionnaire were used to collect socio-demographic and dietary information respectively. Height and weight of 581 and 145 children was measured after migration and upon return from migration respectively. This was analyzed using ENA for SMART to assess levels of malnutrition. Blood samples were also collected for analyses of some micronutrients; albumin and haemoglobin concentration were analyzed using Hemocue Analyzer on the field. The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting during the dry season were 23.4%, 20.3% and 14.5% respectively and during the Wet season, the prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were recorded at 37.2%, 13.1%and 4.8% respectively. Boys were more severely wasted (3.0%) than girls (2.5%) while girls showed a higher percentage of severe underweight (6.8%) compared to boys (3.3%) and for stunting boys showed a higher percentage (12.5%) than girls at 7.6%.Overall, the age group that had highest percentage of wasting, stunting and underweight was children between 6-24months.The concentrations of micronutrients were normal in over 50% of pastoralist Fulani children measured during both seasons;54% and 67% of children had normal serum albumin levels during dry season and wet seasons respectively. According to the WHO thresholds, the prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition was serious(10-14%)during the dry season only and stunting was the only under-nutrition indicator of high prevalence during both seasons and this may be due to some underlying conditions associated with malnutrition such as poor dietary intake, infant feeding practices among others. Nutrition education, hygiene promotion and improved access to health care services may help reverse these trends.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NUTRITION
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSTY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
INFLUENCE,, SEASONAL MIGRATION,, DIETARY PATTERN,, NUTRITIONAL BALANCE,, PASTORALIST FULANI CHILDREN (6-59MONTHS),, KAJURU L.G.A,, KADUNA STATE,