Prevalence of Stunting and Underweight among Preschoolers in Early Child Care Centers in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated prevalence of stunting and underweight among preschoolers in Enugu State. Specifically, it determined prevalence of stunting and underweight based on mothers’ education; income; and occupation. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. Population consisted of 541,326 preschoolers enrolled in early child care centers in Enugu State and their mothers/caregivers. Multi-stage sampling involving other various sampling techniques was employed to select 900 preschoolers of between 6-59 months. A proforma, anthropometric scale, measuring boards and tapes were used for data collection. Frequency count, percentages and logistic regressions were used for data analysis. Findings reveal that 37.5 percent and 29.6 percent of preschoolers in Enugu State were stunted and underweight respectively. About one-third of preschoolers are stunted for all categories of mothers’ income. Mother’s education was significant predictor of underweight (p < .05). Based on these findings, the study recommended, among others, that: health educators, nutritionists and food experts should intensify community education, weight screening and counselling, promotion of school feeding programmes in schools and other community settings so as to create awareness on how to mitigate stunting and underweight in Enugu State.