Health risks of under-five children with protein- energy malnutrition at a health Centre in Ngor-Okpala L.G.A of Imo State
Date
2025-03-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Journal of Advanced Research and Review
Abstract
Background: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is an acute form of malnutrition caused by inadequate intake of calories and proteins and remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in Nigeria. This study assessed the health risks associated with protein-energy malnutrition among under-five children managed at a health centre in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State.
Method: The descriptive research design was adopted for the study, and a total of 350 respondents were sampled. The data were obtained through a structured questionnaire.
Results: The results indicated that 62.00% and 41.00% of the children were at health risk due to PEM. Parental education level, parity, poverty, and ignorance were some of the socio-demographic factors affecting PEM. (X² = 3.357, df = 2, p = 0.000) indicated that there was a significant relationship between PEM and parental socio-demographic background.
Conclusion: These findings point out that PEM poses serious health risks, while targeted health education programs focusing on nutrition by caregivers are of utmost urgency in the study area. Community-based interventions on proper nutrition can also greatly help to minimize the health risks of malnutrition in under-five children.
Description
This article was originally published in World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. The version of record is available at: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.25.3.0798.
Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.
Keywords
protein-energy malnutrition, under-five children, health risks, socio-demographic factors, nutrition education
Citation
Amarachi Grace Melah, Eloho Mathilda Aghworo, Favour Chinemerem Nwachukwu, Adaora Chiamaka Ekekwe, Covenant Mosetoluwa Popoola, Mautin Oluwatosin Salako, Mark Akinola Ige, Mary Adebimpe Adewoye, Olubukola Sarah Ale and Patricia Okwuchi Nneji. Health risks of under-five children with protein- energy malnutrition at a health Centre in Ngor-Okpala L.G.A of Imo State. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 25(03), 2062-2075. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.25.3.0798.