Abstract:
Protein-energy malnutrition remains a major global problem. In Kenya, the
prevalence of stunting and underweight has remained stable for over a decade. In
Western Kenya the prevalence has remained at 30% stunting, 20% underweight and
6% wasting. Community Based Education and Service (COBES) centres are annually
used by Moi University College of Health Sciences for community diagnosis of
various health problems including malnutrition. The objective was to determine the
prevalence of malnutrition in children aged 5 to 59 months in selected COBES health
centres in Western Kenya. Cross-sectional studies were carried out between March
and May 2008 in 7 out of 15 COBES centres in Western Kenya. Cluster sampling
technique was used with each health centre as the sampling unit. Anthropometric
measurements were performed on all children aged 6-59 months within the
households sampled. The sample size depended on the number of cases seen in the
households within the period of study. A total of 70 households per Health Centre
were sampled. Any child between 6 months and 59 months of age in each household
was sampled for nutritional status assessment. Anthropometric measurements were
done on a total of approximately 700 children in the seven Health Centres: (Stunting-
HAZ<-2, Wasting-WHZ <-2, underweight –WAZ<-2 and MUAC, < 12.5mm). The
nutritional status of the children was determined using the WHO recommended Z-
score values as well as the Kenya Government Ministry of Health recommended
charts based on anthropometric measurements . Analysis of the data was carried out
using Epi-info 2000 computer software. Meteitei showed the highest malnutrition
prevalence (53% HAZ, 15% WHZ, 27% WAZ and 18.1 MUAC) whereas Chulaimbo
showed the lowest prevalence (7% HAZ, 3% WAZ). The other centres showed mixed
prevalence. The reason for high prevalence in Meteitei could not be immediately
ascertained but one of the possibilities could be dependence on tea and sugarcane as
major cash crops at the expense of food crops. Prevalence of malnutrition in
Chulaimbo was the lowest probably due to mixed farming practised in the area or
successful health education in the population. The nutritional status of the children
studied was within the normal range in the rest of the Centres.
