Prevalence of malnutrition using Z-scores and absolute values in children under five years of age in Utan village, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Zoakah, A.I.; Idoko, L.O.; Okoronkwo, M.O.; Adeleke, O.A.
East African medical journal 77(3): 123-126
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 12858884 Document Number: 512738
To compare the use of Z scores and absolute measurements in determining the prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children in the Plateau State, Nigeria. A community based, cross sectional study of under-five children. An urban slum, Utan village, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The village has a projected population of 3,000 people; 15% of whom are under-fives. Four hundred and twenty six under-five children. Absolute measures of weight for age, weight for height and height for age; and Z scores for the same indicators. Mass chemotherapy (antihelminths) and nutrition education were carried out after the study was done in 1993. Based on absolute measurements, 23.7% of the children had low weight for age; 34.9% of the under-fives were stunted (height for age), while 11.1% had low weight for height. Using Z-scores, 25.3% of the under-fives were malnourished based on weight for age, 37% were stunted (height for age), while 8.7% had low weight for height. Stunting is still prevalent in the under-five children surveyed in spite of the siting of the PHC clinic which offers promotive, preventive and curative services. Small scale industry could be set up to empower the women economically so that they can provide enough food for their households. A credit/loan scheme would also be beneficial. Emphasis should be placed on growth monitoring to help the women discover when the weight of their children is faltering. The use of oral rehydration therapy against diarrhoeal diseases and immunisation against the common childhood diseases that also affect the nutritional status of the children is important. Nutrition education and family planning programmes should be effectively organised for mothers.