MALNUTRITION IN UNDER-FIVE CHIDREN IN IBUSA, DELTA STATE NIGERIA

This study investigated the prevalence, determinants, and management of undernutrition among children under five years of age in Oshimili North Local Government Area (L.G.A.), Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 303 children were examined using standard anthropometric measurements, and the nutritional status was categorized as underweight, normal weight, or overweight. The prevalence of underweight children was found to be (38.61%), indicating a significant public health concern. Socio-demographic factors such as parental income, education, marital status, and number of children were significantly associated with undernutrition (p < 0.05). In addition, feeding practices—particularly early introduction of food before six months—were also statistically linked to undernutrition, while immunization status and knowledge of malnutrition symptoms showed no significant association. A one-month nutritional intervention using Praise Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RTUF) resulted in marked weight gain among underweight children, with many progressing to healthier weight categories. The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of undernutrition and underscore the need for targeted nutritional interventions, improved parental education, and enhanced public health policies to combat childhood malnutrition in the region.