| dc.description.abstract | Poor quality diets were a major hindrance to growth, development, learning and survival which occurs during the critical window 6-59 months of age in life. In a cross-sectional study, 144 households with children 6-59 months were selected by simple random sampling method in Pagirinya Refugee Settlement. A structured questionnaire with sub-sections was used to collect data on anthropometry of children and minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency of children 6-59 months, and relief reduction copying mechanisms of the caretakers to the children. Descriptive statistics, SPSS version 22, ENA for SMART and excel were used to conduct data analyses. Outcomes of child malnutrition were defined using WHO standards. The Z-scores for weight-for-height, height-for-age, and weight-for-age were found to be negative, with mean values of -0.54, -0.88, and -0.86, respectively. These negative Z-scores indicated that, on average, the children are experienced mild to moderate malnutrition. Low dietary diversity, 92% cases of inadequate minimum dietary diversity and 8% cases of adequate minimum dietary diversity. Majority of the children consumed two meals (59%) 24 hours prior to the survey, 15% had consumed only one meal and 26% of the children had consumed three or more meals. The coping mechanisms adopted by the refugees included reduction of portion sizes (26%), skipping meals (74%), obtained food on credit (15%), borrowed money (59%), and sold possessions (28%) to overcome food shortages. These results underscore the critical importance of addressing nutritional challenges during the crucial 6-59 month age window to promote growth, development, learning, and survival. Effective interventions are needed to improve dietary diversity and access to balanced nutrition for these vulnerable children and their households. | en_US |
