CAUSES OF UNDER-NUTRITION IN MUKURU AND VIWANDANI URBAN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

Authors

  • Mercy Wahome Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Prof. Paul Mbatia Multimedia University, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47672/ajfsn.298

Keywords:

Nutrition, Malnutrion, Poverty, Diseases, Mukuru, Viwandani, mortality, morbidity

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the landscape analysis was to identify the causes of under-nutrition in mukuru and viwandani urban informal settlements

Methodology: The analysis was largely based on literature review from previous surveys, program reports and internet search on secondary information relating to the urban sector in Kenya having been undertaken to establish and collate a wide range of baseline facts on nutrition, poverty and vulnerability. In addition to a range of secondary sources, some primary data was collected through key informant interviews.

Results: The study found out that  the main causes of Malnutrion in Mukuru: Lack of knowledge on child feeding practices , Poor weaning practices-Children refuses to eat due to lack of taste and diversity in food intake, Social economics problems- Most families don't afford the necessary diet due to poverty, Poor health seeking behavior leading to late identification and diagonisation of malnourished children, Day cares-There is very minimal attachment between the mother and the child as most of the time the child is in the day care centre. In some cases children are locked in the house all day long, Diseases- Mukuru could be having high prevalence of diarrhea, pneumonia and rickets

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Training should be extended to the care givers on child feeding practices. Emphasis on diversity of food intake so as improve on the children's appetite. Lastly, encouraging maximum attachment between the mother and the child.

Keywords: Nutrition, Malnutrion, Poverty, Diseases, Mukuru, Viwandani, mortality, morbidity

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Mercy Wahome, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Postgraduate student

Prof. Paul Mbatia, Multimedia University, Kenya

Lecturer

References

Abuya et al. (2012) Effects of mother's education on child's nutrition status in the slums of Nairobi. BMC Pediatrics, 12:80

Government of Kenya, Ministry of Health. (2013). Kenya Urban Nutrition Strategy 2013-2017. Division of Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya.

Integrated Health and Nutrition Baseline Survey in The Nairobi Slums Nairobi County , 2014( SMART survey)

Kenya Demographic Health Survey (2014)

Nutrition Works (2012). Urban malnutrition: A review of food security and nutrition among the urban poor.)

Process for Improving Child Feeding (ProPAN) (2014), Preliminary Report, Concern Worldwide. Social determinants of child under-nutrition in urban informal settlements in Kenya.

UN Habitat, (2007), Kenya Slum Upgrading Programme.

United Nations Convention (1990) The Rights of the Child : every government has a responsibility to combat disease and under nutrition through the provision of adequate nutritious food.

Downloads

Published

2017-10-05

How to Cite

Wahome, M., & Mbatia, P. P. (2017). CAUSES OF UNDER-NUTRITION IN MUKURU AND VIWANDANI URBAN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS. American Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 3(1), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.47672/ajfsn.298

Issue

Section

Articles