A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON THE EFFECT OF MATERNAL LITERACY ON NUTRITION STATUS
| Format: Ms Word | 1-5 Chapters | Table of Content|
INSTANT PROJECT MATERIAL DOWNLOAD
Study Level: BTech, BSc, BEng, BA, HND, ND or NCE
Amount: ₦3,000.00
Background to the study
Reducing malnutrition among children under the age of five remains a significant concern in underdeveloped countries around the world. According to Van de Poel, Hosseinpoor, Jehu-Appiah, and Speybroeck (2008), an estimated 30 million children under the age of five are chronically malnourished in developing nations. Similarly, malnutrition is thought to be responsible for approximately 54% of mortality among children this age in developing countries (FAO, 2008). In Sub-Saharan Africa, 41% of under-five children are malnourished, and malnutrition-related mortality are growing on a daily basis (FAO 2008). Malnutrition is endemic in Nigeria, particularly in rural regions. This is partly due to insufficient food and nutrient supply. According to the 2003 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 38% of Nigeria’s under-5 children are stunted, 29% are underweight, and 9.2% are wasted (Ajieroh, 2010). These surveys revealed considerable differences between rural and urban locations, with children in rural areas suffering more from malnutrition.
Most common form of malnutrition in Africa is protein energy deficiency affecting over 100 million people; especially 30-50 million children under 5 years of age (Maletnlema, 1992) and almost additional 200 in a retrospective semi – rural – community based study of million are at risk (Maletnlema, 1992). Up till now, children with PEM at Ile – Ife and Ilorin. Nigeria, were protein energy malnutrition (PEM), a known sequel of analyzed the demographics, weaning food insufficiency and poor social – economic conditions diets, weight – for – age deficits, family size as (Dulger et al., 2002) continues to be a major public well as parental socio – economic conditions, literacy health problem and a source of major concern in levels and annual per capita income. Employing the developing third world countries including Nigeria Modified, Welcome classification of PEM, based on various authors have identified the impact of a number weight – for – age (WA) deficits and presence or absence of risk factors underlying PEM. Involvement of the oedema, the children were categorized into the four nervous system by PEM is thought to result from the not only clinical syndromes of PEM including kwashiorkor, deficiencies of protein and energy alone but from marasmic – Kwashiorkor maramus and underweight.
Child mortality, or the probability of a child dying before the age of five, remains disturbingly high in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to reports (Adepoju, Akanni, and Falusi, 2012; NDHS, 2013). (Black & Liu, 2012; Gambrah and Adzadu, 2013; Antai, 2011; UNDP, 2017). According to the UNDP (2016), there were 84 deaths for every 1,000 live births among children under five in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2015. The number does not appear to have changed. Nigeria still has a significant prevalence of chronic malnutrition among children under the age of 5. For example, the Northern Area of Nigeria has 21.8% underweight, 12.9% wasted, and 32.5% stunted children under the age of five (Bello & Joseph, 2014). The prevention of childhood malnutrition begins with insufficient childcare practices. In Nigeria, low mother education (both formal and informal) has been cited as a major barrier to effective parenting practices (Gambrah & Adzadu, 2013). Well-resourced, focused, and coordinated nutrition education can significantly improve maternal nutritional knowledge, healthcare-seeking habits, and practices. As a result, a number of health-related non-governmental organizations, including Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), World Vision International (WVI), and the Nigeria Health Service (GHS), have been promoting proper childcare practices, such as appropriate infant feeding and management of childhood illnesses like diarrhoea. Health and nutrition messages are typically aimed at mothers, the majority of whom have not had formal schooling. These women typically seek health care at prenatal clinics and child welfare centres (CWC). Furthermore, using preventive health services allows you to improve care practices by focusing on both preventative healthcare (immunization, antenatal care for the mother, etc.) and childhood morbidity treatment. The effective application of knowledge and skills acquired via health and nutrition education is intended to improve children’s health and nutritional status through increased knowledge and care practices. However, there is minimal evidence on the impact of nutrition education, particularly among women who have not had formal schooling. Knowledge and resource availability both influence care behaviour choices. Individuals’ knowledge, awareness, and skill levels influence their practices and actions. Even in households with equal levels of disposable money and resources, children’s nutritional outcomes vary greatly (Adetoro & Amoo, 2014), implying that factors other than finances are responsible for children’s nutritional health.
Since 1990, the UNICEF Model of Care has established care as an essential component of child nutrition. Caregivers require education (both formal and informal), time, and support (for example, resource control). In the Nigerian setting, the relationship between nonliterate mothers’ nutritional awareness and their children’s nutritional status is uncertain. Mothers’ understanding of child nutrition and childcare methods is likely to have a substantial impact on their children’s nutritional status. However, there are inconsistent study findings on this.
Statement of the Problem
In Nigeria, health and nutrition education is a frequent intervention aimed at moms, the majority of whom have not had formal schooling. However, there is insufficient empirical evidence to support the association between nonliterate mothers’ nutritional awareness and their children’s nutritional status. Although maternal education is a significant predictor of children’s nutritional status, it is uncertain if mothers’ practical nutrition knowledge has an independent effect on child growth. Furthermore, the elements influencing the transfer of acquired information into practice are poorly understood. According to WHO (2007), Nigeria has the eighth highest frequency of morality rates among children under the age of five, with a shocking ratio of 189/1000 in 2008. Malnutrition is the underlying cause of over half of these deaths. The World Health Organization estimates that around 150 million children under the age of five in poor nations are underweight, with an additional 200 million stunted (Laura, 2004).
Research Objective
The main aim of the study was to assess the relationship between maternal nutritional knowledge in childcare practices and child growth among children aged 0-36 month(s) in Northern Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to:
- Assess mothers’ knowledge level in recommended childcare practices relating to nutrition.
- Investigate whether acquired health and nutritional knowledge is dependent on the socioeconomic status of the household in impoverished rural communities.
- Assess the nutritional status of infants and young children aged 0-36 month(s).
Research Question
- What is the level of maternal knowledge in recommended childcare practices?
- Does household socioeconomic status influence mother’s ability to acquired knowledge in order to improve the nutritional status of children in impoverished rural communities of Nigeria?
- Is there a direct link between child growth and a composite childcare knowledge index?
Significance of the study
To effectively encourage change and increase children’s well-being in impoverished communities, policymakers must have a deeper understanding of the relationship between maternal knowledge and child health outcomes. The circumstances in which acquired knowledge is put into practice are all key factors in deciding on potential actions. This study aims to bridge a knowledge gap.
Scope of the study
The purpose of this study is to measure mothers’ understanding of suggested nutritional childcare practices. The study will also look into whether households’ socioeconomic position influences their acquisition of health and nutritional knowledge. Furthermore, the study will measure the nutritional status of newborns and young children aged 0 to 5 years. Finally, this study will develop a composite childcare knowledge measure and evaluate its relevance to children’s nutritional indicators.