Role of community based nutrition education in combating stunting among under-five children in Livingstone

Abstract

Recent figures on Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) indicate that 45% of Zambian children are stunted. Maternal exposure to nutrition and health information are essential elements that may influence the nutritional status of under-five children. However, very few studies have placed emphasis on community based nutrition education. The aim of this study was to contribute to the pool of knowledge with regard to the nutritional status of the under-five children in Zambia with special reference to Livingstone district. Specifically, the study wanted to determine the role of community based nutrition education on the nutrition status of under-five children. The study used a mixed research design which was a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. A semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect qualitative data. The heights and weights (quantitative data) of the children in all the communities were also taken. A random sample of 350 caregivers was chosen from four communities of Livingstone – two of which were receiving community based nutrition education and the other two were not. Those that were receiving the nutrition education were Mahatma Gandhi and Libuyu (three years and one year respectively), while those that were not receiving were Dalice and Linda. The results showed that apart from Libuyu where children’s heights were lower (P = 0.026), the heights of children in other communities were similar. The study established that community based nutrition education on its own was not useful in fulfilling the role of combating stunting among under-five children. This is because it was limited by economic factors and other factors. In view of this, it is recommended that community based nutrition education be expanded to include supporting factors to effectively deal with the problem of under-five child stunting. It is further recommended that government in collaboration with other stakeholders should provide low interest loans payable over a long period of time to enable parents from chronically food insecure households engage in entrepreneurship ventures. Finally, further research is recommended to do a comparative study of nutritional status of under-five children being under the care of their parents and those under the care of maids.