Dietary management of diarrhea among children aged 0-59 months in Makadara-Viwandani informal settlement, Nairobi city county, Kenya

Rebecca Nyatich; Isaac J.M. Mwanzo; Eunice N. Njogu; Ephantus Kabiru

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.3.8

Autores

Rebecca Nyatich Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8841-765X
Isaac J.M. Mwanzo Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7423-6134
Eunice N. Njogu Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0704-1679
Ephantus Kabiru Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.3.8

Palavras-chave:

Caregivers, Diarrhea, Dietary Management, Feeding Practices, Informal Settlements, Malnutrition, Oral Rehydration Solution, Under-Five Children, Nairobi City County, Kenya

Resumo

Diarrhea is the world's second biggest cause of death among children below the age of five years, causing approximately 1.5 million deaths annually. In Kenya, it is the third leading cause of illness and death, with a case fatality rate of up to 21% and accounting for around 9% of deaths among children under five years. This study determined the dietary management of diarrhea among children aged 0–59 months in Makadara-Viwandani informal settlement, Nairobi City County, Kenya. A descriptive analytic study design was used, involving 159 caregivers with children aged 0–59 months. Caregivers were selected through cluster sampling at village level and simple random sampling at household level. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and anthropometric measurements conducted according to WHO Child Growth Standards (2016). Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), with chi-square tests used to assess relationships between dependent and independent variables. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis, while nutritional status was expressed as Z-scores using a -2 SD cut-off. The results showed that the prevalence of underweight was 10.7%, stunting 10.1%, and wasting 6.3%. Malnutrition among children under five was significantly associated with diarrhea, with children experiencing diarrhea being 1.8 times more likely to be malnourished than those without diarrhea. Caregivers demonstrated good knowledge of oral rehydration solution use during diarrheal episodes, adhering to recommended administration of 10 mL and 20 mL oral rehydration solution for under-fives. The findings indicate that strengthening appropriate dietary management during diarrheal episodes can contribute to improved nutritional outcomes among children under five. The study recommends that healthcare professionals, together with Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), organize and conduct community-based training for caregivers to improve feeding practices of children under five during diarrheal episodes.

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