Abstract

*Ehwarieme T.A, Ogbogu C.J, Mbadugha Chisom and Obiekwu Adaobi L

Malnutrition is among the leading cause of deaths in children below age five in the developing countries. For MDG goal to be met, under-five malnutrition is to be reduced to the barest minimum if not eradicated. This is aim at assessing the nutritional status among under -five children in Evbuotubu Community Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. A descriptive cross sectional survey design was used in a sample size of 272 mothers with 544 under-five children. Questionnaire, observational checklist and instrument for anthropometric measurement were used to collect data using convenient sampling technique. Data collected were analyse using descriptive statistics, hypothesis were tested using chi-square at 0.05 significant level. Result show that 196(36.1%) of the children were underweight with 250(46.0%) of them been stunted and 138(25.4%) wasted, out of 36.1% underweight children, 112(20.6%) were boys and 84(15.4%) girls. In addition, of the 25.4% wasted 72 (13.2%) boys and 66(12.1%) were girls. Also mother’s level of education was a significant predictor for weightfor-age (p=0.042 AOR: 2.300, 95% CI: 1.032 – 5.127), and mother’s age for being a strong predictor for child wasting with p= 0.012 AOR: 3.462, 95% CI: 1.313 – 9.131). To improve nutritional status of under-five children, education of the mothers/care givers should be made compulsory. Information on good nutritional practices should be provided by health worker at all level of health care. Government should provide at least one square meal which is fortified with adequate nutrient for all under-five children.