| dc.description.abstract | Globally, socio economic and demographic status of households have been shown to influence
the health of school children. However, knowledge of the impact of these factors on children’s health is scarce
in Kilifi County. This study evaluated the influence of households’ socio-economic and demographic
characteristics on Preschool children’s morbidity and nutritional status in Ganze Kilifi County, Kenya. A total
of 288 pre-school children (3-5 years) and their households were selected from ten Government schools five
which had a school lunch programme (study group) and five without the programme (Control group) but in
the same locality. Households’ socioeconomic and demographic data was collected by trained research
assistants using pretested questionnaires. WHO Anthro programme was used to evaluate children’s nutritional
status and SPSS version 24, and SAS version 9.4 statistical software for Data analysis. The threshold for
statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Household heads with no formal education were 30% and the
average income of the households was KES. 3000-5000 per month. Households’ average daily allocation to
food was Kes.100-150. Children enrollment in preschool was 65% for boys and girls 35%. Children who
were sick two weeks, prior to the interview were 2 times more likely to be stunted [OR=2.20; 95%CI=1.25 -
3.85; P=0.006] and 2.5 times more likely to be underweight [OR=2.66; 95%CI=1.48 - 4.77; P=0.001]
compared to children without sickness. This study found that socio economic and demographic factors
influenced morbidity and nutritional status of the preschool children. The study showed that the long distance
to health services, low education level and income contributed to increased ill health and morbidity resulting
into stunted and underweight children. The study recommends that the relevant authorities should improve
access to clean water and sanitation in addition to community health outreach services targeting the children.
Also, the community should be supported and encouraged to engage in income generating activities for
economic empowerment | en_US |
