SPATIAL VARIATION IN THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF DIARRHOEA VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

Lawal, O.R., Ibor, U.W.* and Aigbe, G.A.

The study examined the variation in the nutritional status of diarrhoea vulnerable children in urban, peri- urban and rural areas of Oyo State, Nigeria. Six Local Government Areas were selected for the study, with two Local Government Areas representing each of urban, peri-urban and rural environments. Hospital record of patients from the General Hospital, Ibadan and questionnaire administration were used for the study. A total of three hundred (300) households were sampled using the stratified and systematic random sampling techniques, while anthropometric variables (sex, age, weight and height) were determined using the World Health Organization (WHO) standardized scales. The Analysis of Variance results revealed that significant variations existed in nutritional status of children infected with diarrhoea across the different geographic areas (p<0.05). The Pearson’s correlation result showed a low positive and significant relationship between body mass index for age and the prevalence of diarrhoea (r=0.075; p<0.05), underweight (r=-0.002; p<0.05) and stunting(r=-0.063; p<0.05) negatively correlated with diarrhoea, while wasting had a positive relationship with diarrhoea prevalence(r=0.027; p<0.05). The study recommends hygiene and in-take of balanced diet in order to enhance the immune system of children in the area.

Key words: Anthropometric indicators, Diarrhoea prevalence, Local Government Areas, Nutritional status.