Socio-demographic correlates of childhood malnutrition in a rural community in Southwest Nigeria - A call for targeted interventions for vulnerable children

BACKGROUND: Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children globally. Yet, only two out of ten malnourished Nigerian children benefit from intervention programs to address malnutrition. This study describes some socio-demographic factors associated with malnutrition among children living in a rural community in Southwest Nigeria. METHODS: This study was a community-based cross-sectional study involving 364 children randomly selected from their homes aged 1–15 years. Factors such as socioeconomic status, birth order, and whether the mother was alive were obtained. Weights, heights, and body mass index (BMI) were measured and interpreted using the WHO z-scores. Chi-squared test of associations was used for categorical variables and an independent t-test was used to compare the mean BMI between both genders. The level of significance was set at a p-value <0.050. RESULTS: There were 185 (51%) females: 173(48%) belonged to the age group 1–5 years and 168 (46%) belonged to the lower socio-economic class. Over 80% of the participants had normal nutritional status: 19 (6%) were underweight, 36 (10%) were stunted, and 29 (8%) were thin (low BMI, <-2SD). Maternal demise was associated with thinness. Males from lower socio-economic classes and first-born males had a higher mean BMI than the females (p<0.050). CONCLUSION: Although malnutrition prevalence was low, there is a need to use targeted interventions to further reduce malnutrition among vulnerable children. There is also a necessity for more studies to identify and address the risk factors for stunting in the study area.