Browsing by Author "Ezennia, Chidimma Jane"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Assessment of nutritional status of pupils in Awka South L. G. A., Anambra State
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2020-03) Ezennia, Chidimma Jane
    A lot of reports show that there exists problem of malnutrition among Nigerian children. School age children are vulnerable to malnutrition which can negatively influence their growth and maturity, health and academic attainment. There is need then for a public health investigation of nutritional status of children requiring several re-assessments especially in volatile environment. This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which assessed nutritional status of primary school pupils in Awka South L.G.A, Anambra State. The data was collected from 3rd December, 2017 to 19thJuly, 2018. Primary school pupils totaling 490, aged 6-12 years old who attended to the classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were measured for weight and height, the parents/caregivers of the pupils were interviewed using questionnaire. Data was analyzed on IBM-SPSS Statistics 23.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, USA) and Microsoft Excel 2010 was used in chart drawing. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. Statistical Chi square test at 5% level was used to test for variables associated with malnutrition. Probability value (p) was used to interpret the result and p values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. We found out that, 92.2% of the respondents had a normal weight, while 3.7% were underweight, 4.1% were overweight and 1.7% was at risk of being overweight. Therefore, there is an urgent need for intensified nutrition education, dietary diversification and fortification, improved food production, processing, storage and handling techniques should be prioritized. Monitoring and evaluation of nutritional status of the pupils should be carried out periodically and most especially on non-school attendees. Supplementary support from NGO’s and well-meaning Nigerians is still needed, to assist daily intake of pupils still underweight especially.