Nutritional Assessments of Children Under Five Based on Anthropometric Measurements in Sapele Central Hospital, Delta

Abstract

Child malnutrition Reduction is another SDG related to an improvement in child welfare. National data on underweight provided under NFHS-3 (National Family Health Survey) (2005-06) revealed an underweight prevalence rate of around 40%. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Central Hospital Sapele during the month of December 2022 among children under five years of age. WHO guidelines for anthropometric measurement and nutritional status categorisation among children were used. A total of 52 children participated in the study. About 80.8% of study participants were found not to show muscle wasting as their nutritional status while taking the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure for nutritional status into consideration. Nearly 71.2% of the participants were well nourished. The composite anthropometric index determines the prevalence or percentage of well-nourished children who receive vaccinations at Central Hospital Sapele. So, nurses are to encourage mothers whose children are within the border lines and below normal to top up their games to ensure that their children are well-fed through health talks, food demonstrations, and awareness programs.