Medical Factors Influencing Protein Energy Malnutrition in Children Under Five Years Old at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2017
Pages:
1-4
Received:
21 July 2016
Accepted:
30 July 2016
Published:
14 April 2017
Abstract: Introduction: Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) results from deficiency of proteins and energy. Objective: This study sought to determine the influence of medical factors on PEM in children below five years old at KNH. Method: 118 children under five years old plus their biological mothers participated in this cross-sectional quantitative study. Questionnaires were administered to the biological mothers of the children and anthropometric measurements were taken from the children. Multi-stage sampling was used to select eligible children plus their biological mothers. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 16. Results: The prevalence of underweight was 59.3%, stunting 53.3% and wasting 33.9% among children aged 0 to 59 months in KNH. Medical factors that predisposed to PEM were: illness, immunization status, dietary care during illness time and health seeking behavior. Conclusion: Medical factors greatly influenced nutritional status of children under five years old. Recommendations: Health education should be enhanced in the hospital settings on importance of seeking medical care in case of an illness and importance of adequate feeding of the child during illness.
Abstract: Introduction: Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) results from deficiency of proteins and energy. Objective: This study sought to determine the influence of medical factors on PEM in children below five years old at KNH. Method: 118 children under five years old plus their biological mothers participated in this cross-sectional quantitative study. Q...
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