Adongo Amos Otieno, Matofari Joseph Wafula, Kamau Mbuthia Elizabeth
Department of Dairy, Food Science and Technology (DAFTEC) Egerton University Njoro Campus Egerton Kenya.
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Sheep, Goat & Camel Research Institute Marsabit Kenya.
Food Sci Nutr. 2024 May 19;12(8):5677-5693. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.4201. eCollection 2024 Aug.
The transition from nomadism to sedentary lifestyle has introduced changes in diets and undernutrition is endemic among settled pastoral households. This study aimed to investigate the underlying factors affecting stunting, underweight, and wasting of children aged 6-59 months in Marsabit County, Kenya. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in six wards capturing pastoral, agro-pastoral, and urban livelihood practices. Using multistage sampling method, 394 children aged 6-59 months participated with written consent from the caregivers. A pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measures were used during data collection. Population characteristics were summarized into means and proportions, while chi-square and analysis of variance were used to evaluate associations between variables. Backward logistic regressions were used to explore predictors of stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively. The results showed that the mean Height for Age -score, Weight for Age -score, and Weight for Height -score were -1.51, 1.54, and 1.02, respectively. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 38.1%, 23.0%, and 18.5%, respectively. The age of child, source of drinking water, and waste disposal were some of the main factors influencing stunting among children. In conclusion, the prevalence of undernutrition was high compared to the World Health Organization recommended cutoffs. Water sources hygiene, and caregiver's income were some of the main predictors of undernutrition among children. Development agencies need to focus on the supply of potable water, access to toilet facilities, in addition to nutrition education on hygienic complementary feeding practices among pastoral caregivers.
从游牧生活方式向定居生活方式的转变带来了饮食方面的变化，营养不良在定居的牧民家庭中普遍存在。本研究旨在调查影响肯尼亚马萨比特县6至59个月儿童发育迟缓、体重不足和消瘦的潜在因素。在六个选区开展了一项横断面家庭调查，涵盖游牧、农牧结合和城市生计方式。采用多阶段抽样方法，394名6至59个月的儿童在获得照料者书面同意后参与调查。数据收集过程中使用了经过预测试的问卷和人体测量方法。人口特征汇总为均值和比例，同时使用卡方检验和方差分析来评估变量之间的关联。分别采用向后逻辑回归来探究发育迟缓、体重不足和消瘦的预测因素。结果显示，年龄别身高得分、年龄别体重得分和身高别体重得分的均值分别为-1.51、1.54和1.02。发育迟缓、体重不足和消瘦的患病率分别为38.1%、23.0%和18.5%。儿童年龄、饮用水来源和废物处理是影响儿童发育迟缓的一些主要因素。总之，与世界卫生组织建议的临界值相比，营养不良的患病率较高。水源卫生和照料者收入是儿童营养不良的一些主要预测因素。发展机构除了要对牧民照料者进行关于卫生的辅食喂养做法的营养教育外，还需要关注饮用水供应和厕所设施的使用。
