Influence of maternal and child's demographic factors on protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in under-five years old children at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Abstract

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) results from deficiency of proteins and energy. Children under five years old are the most affected because of their immature immunity. Social, demographic, economic, environmental, political and medical factors have been found to interrelate and cause to PEM. This study sought to determine the influence of maternal and children demographic factors on PEM in under five years old children at KNH. 118 children under five years old plus their biological mothers participated in this cross-sectional quantitative study The study found moderately high prevalence of underweight (59.3%) and stunting (53.3%) and low prevalence of wasting (33.9%) among children aged 0 to 59 months in KNH. The odds of the stunted child having a mother who is educated was approximately a third (OR=O.28 (95% CI 0.12-0.65; P=0.003)) that of a non stunted child.