The Prevalence of Malnutrition among Children under Five Years in Sanda Loko Chiefdom Karene District, Northwestern Sierra Leone

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition in children under 5 years remains a significant public health challenge as it spurs child mortality and morbidity in developing countries, including Sierra Leone. Malnutrition is a significant public health problem of developmental concern with both health and socioeconomic consequences, and it contributes to under-five mortality and mortality. This mixed-method cross-sectional study aimed to explore the maternal factors of malnutrition in children under 5 years of age in Sanda Loko chiefdom.

Method: This mixed-method cross-sectional study was restricted to the under-five children of Sanda Loko, Chiefdom Karene District. A random sample was taken from the population, and a semi-structured questionnaire and interviews were used to collect data from June 2000 to June 2023. Data were analysed using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS),Version 22, and Microsoft Excel software.

Results: The study revealed a 14% prevalence of malnutrition among the under-five children in Sanda Loko, Chiefdom. Counselling on tube feeding (28%) was uncommon in Sanda Loko, Chiefdom. The study also found that counselling on planning and developing healthy eating habits and nutritional education was standard(59% and 62%, respectively). The only maternal factors that have a statistically significant relationship to the prevalence of malnutrition are the highest level of education of mothers (?²=33.974, p-value<0.0001), the economic status of mothers (?²=28.941, p-value<0.0001) and mother’s access to three square meals (?²=61.887,p-value=0.001).

Conclusion: Policymakers should develop educational interventions to improve the mother’s nutritional knowledge.