Community-based nutrition-sensitive approach to address short-term hunger and undernutrition among primary school children in rural areas in a developing country setting: lessons from North and North-Eastern Uganda

Abstract Background Undernutrition in childhood is an important factor that greatly impedes the achievement of full human potential at adulthood. Despite increased enrolment of pupils in primary schools in developing countries, short-term hunger and undernutrition continue to impact negatively on school attendance, retention and education outcomes in economically disadvantaged rural areas. This study examined the feasibility of a community-based participatory action research approach building capacity of rural women food vendors to use local food resources to produce nutritionally enhanced food products for primary school feeding in rural localities in a developing country setting. Methods Mixed methods approach incorporating focus group discussions (FGDs) to evaluate parents’ and school administrators’ perceptions of the community-based approach, participatory experimental improvement of nutritional quality of an energy-based cassava product (gari) involving community women food vendors, and cross-sectional acceptability assessment of improved products among rural primary school children. Qualitative content analysis, one-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis was used to analyse FGD data, compare nutritional profile and consumer sensory profile of different products, and examine associations between sensory attributes and acceptability of the products, respectively. Results The approach of using local food resources to produce nutritious products targeting school feeding was strongly recognised by parents, school administrators, teachers and small scale rural women food vendors as an adoptable nutrition-sensitive means of addressing short-term hunger among primary school children in rural settings. The action research resulted in a highly accepted nutritionally enhanced product (consisting of cassava, soy and silver fish) exhibiting superior nutritional properties (23.29% protein, 90.5 g/100 g calcium, 4.5 g/100 g zinc, 11.6 g/100 g iron, 40.40 g/100 g phosphorus, 61.57 μg/100 g vitamin A) compared to the original energy-dominated cassava product (2.18% Protein, 55.6 g/100 g calcium, 1.2 g/100 g zinc, 4.4 g/100 g iron, 6.6 g/100 g phosphorus, 11.23 μg/100 g vitamin A) (p < 0.05). Nutritional computation revealed that serving 120 g of the new product would suffice to meet 30% of the recommended dietary allowance for essential nutrients that children should receive from school meals. Conclusion Community-level nutrition-sensitive innovation using local foods resources offers the opportunity for rural women food vendors to contribute to addressing short-term hunger and undernutrition challenges in primary schools in economically-disadvantaged localities in developing countries.

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ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THE FARM FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN

Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews ◽

10.18510/hssr.2021.9356 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 553-563

Author(s):

Hussain Sardar ◽

Rana Muhammad Amir ◽

Ayesha Khurshid ◽

Hafiz Ali Raza ◽

Adeela Manzoor

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Poor Health ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Special Focus ◽

Farm Families ◽

Chi Square Analysis

Purpose of the study: The main purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of farm families with a special focus on primary school children in Punjab. Methodology: This study was conducted in tehsil Jaranwala, Faisalabad. Five villages and two primary schools were selected from each village randomly. From these schools, 323 children whose fathers were farmers were selected as samples. A cross-sectional research design was used for the present study. In this context, an interview schedule was prepared and face-to-face interviews were administered to collect the required data. Main Findings: The chi-square analysis confirmed that education, and income of parents associated factors had a statistically significant (P<0.05) and positive correlation with BMI. Descriptive statistics indicated poverty was ranked 1st among reasons for malnutrition followed by inappropriate dietary choices and unavailability of healthy foods with mean values of 4.25 and 4.11, respectively. Whereas, children don't want to come to school due to poor health" was ranked 1st in all effects of poor health with a mean value of 4.50. Applications of the study: This study has highlighted the importance of the nutritional status of primary school-going children and also investigates the different factors that inverse impact on their health. This study will be proved helpful among farm families by creating awareness about the nutrition of children. Based on the findings of this study, the urge to the government to take steps to improve the literacy level and build strategies to improve the awareness level of mothers about the nutrition of children, especially in rural areas. The novelty of the Study: This is the first study that investigates the assessment of the nutritional status of school-going children of farm families in Punjab, Pakistan especially in tehsil Jaranwala, Faisalabad.

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Anaemia and Its Relation to Demographic, Socio-economic and Anthropometric Factors in Rural Primary School Children in Hai Phong City, Vietnam

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11071478 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 1478 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hoang ◽

Orellana ◽

Le ◽

Gibson ◽

Worsley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Economic Factor ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Microcytic Anaemia ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Normocytic Anaemia

Little is known about the prevalence of anaemia and associated factors in school children in Vietnam. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anaemia and its subtypes, and the associations of types of anaemia with demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric factors among 6–9-year-old primary school children in rural areas of Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Haemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured, and demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric data were collected in 893 children from eight primary schools. The prevalence of anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L) was 12.9% (95% CI: 8.1%, 19.9%), microcytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV < 80 fL) was 7.9% (95% CI: 5.3%, 11.6%) and normocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV 80–90 fL) was 5.3% (95% CI: 2.9%, 9.5%). No child presented with macrocytic anaemia (Hb < 115 g/L and MCV > 90 fL). Children who were underweight, wasted, or in anthropometric failure (either underweight, stunted or wasted) were more likely to be anaemic (all p ≤ 0.004), and specifically, to have normocytic anaemia (all p ≤ 0.006), than those who were not underweight, wasted or in anthropometric failure. Stunted children were more likely to be anaemic (p = 0.018) than those who were not stunted. Overweight/obese children were less likely to be anaemic (p = 0.026) or have normocytic anaemia (p = 0.038) compared with children who were not overweight/obese. No anthropometric status indicator was associated with the risk of microcytic anaemia. No demographic or socio-economic factor was associated with any type of anaemia. Anaemia remains a public health issue in rural areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam, and future approaches for its prevention and control should target undernourished primary school children.

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Prevalence of Short Stature and Malnutrition among Egyptian Primary School Children and their Coexistence with Anemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23568/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ali M. El Shafie ◽

Zeinab A. Kasemy ◽

Zein A. omar ◽

Safa H. Alkalash ◽

Amal A. salama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Short Stature ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Preventable Risk Factor ◽

Egyptian Children

Abstract Background: Under nutrition and overweight typically occur during nutritional transition periods in developing countries including Egypt. Short stature and anemia are public health concern due to its strong link with malnutrition which is a preventable risk factor. Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, underweight and short stature and its concurrence with anemia, also to determine the etiological profile of short stature among primary school children in Egypt.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 33150 Egyptian children aged 6-11 years old from January 2018 to January 2020, allocated in 59 primary schools from diverse geographical districts in Egypt. Complete anthropometric measurements were conducted and applied according to WHO growth charts. Hemoglobin level was measured. Systematic approach to detect the etiology of short stature was applied randomly to a sample of 380 stunted children.Results: The prevalence of underweight was 8.2 %, while obesity and overweight represented 21.8% (9.6% and 12.2% respectively). Overall short stature constituted 17%. The main etiologies of short stature were familial (40.8%) and constitutional (24.2%). Anemia was diagnosed in 26% of children; while concurrent anemia and stunting was reported in 9.9%. Regarding anemia and anemia with stunting were more common among girls (30.0 % (OR=1.50, CI95%: 1.43-1.58) and 11.4% (OR=1.39, CI95%:1.29-1.49) respectively), who were living in rural areas (33.4% (OR=1.96, CI 95%:1.87-2.06) &12.7% (OR= 1.72, CI 95%:1.60-1.85)) and those who had low socioeconomic status )34.6% (OR= 2.54, CI 95%:2.29-2.82) & 17.2% (OR= 3.32, CI 95%:2.85-3.88() respectively. Anemia with stunting was significantly higher among children aged ≥9 years old representing 12% (OR= 1.40, CI 95%:1.30-1.51). Conclusion: Prevalence of short stature, obesity and anemia was high among primary school children in Egypt with a strong concurrence between anemia and stunting. Intensive parental health education and in-depth nutritional assessment are required.

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Prevalence of Short Stature and Malnutrition among Egyptian Primary School Children and their Coexistence with Anemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23568/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ali M. El Shafie ◽

Zeinab A. Kasemy ◽

Zein A. omar ◽

Safa H. Alkalash ◽

Amal A. salama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Short Stature ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Preventable Risk Factor ◽

Egyptian Children

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Awareness, Facilitators, and Barriers to Policy Implementation Related to Obesity Prevention for Primary School Children in Malaysia

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117117695888 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 806-811 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Camelina Chan ◽

Foong Ming Moy ◽

Jennifer N. W. Lim ◽

Maznah Dahlui

Keyword(s):

Policy Implementation ◽

Primary School ◽

Obesity Prevention ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

School Administrators ◽

School Administrator ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Facilitators And Barriers

Purpose: To assess the awareness, facilitators, and barriers to policy implementation related to obesity prevention for primary school children. Design: A cross-sectional study administered using an online questionnaire. Setting: Conducted in 447 primary schools in a state in Malaysia. Participants: One school administrator from each school served as a participant. Measures: The questionnaires consisted of 32 items on awareness, policy implementation, and facilitators and barriers to policy implementation. Analysis: Descriptive analysis was used to describe the awareness, facilitators, and barriers of policies implementation. Association between schools’ characteristics and policy implementation was assessed using logistic regression. Results: The majority (90%) of school administrators were aware of the policies. However, only 50% to 70% of schools had implemented the policies fully. Reported barriers were lack of equipment, insufficient training, and limited time to complete implementation. Facilitators of policy implementation were commitment from the schools, staff members, students, and canteen operators. Policy implementation was comparable in all school types and locality; except the policy on “Food and Drinks sold at the school canteens” was implemented by more rural schools compared to urban schools (odds ratio: 1.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-2.69). Conclusion: Majority of the school administrators were aware of the existing policies; however, the implementation was only satisfactory. The identified barriers to policy implementation were modifiable and thus, the stakeholders should consider restrategizing plans in overcoming them.

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Anthropometric Status among 6–9-Year-Old School Children in Rural Areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10101431 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1431 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ngan Hoang ◽

Liliana Orellana ◽

Tuyen Le ◽

Rosalind Gibson ◽

Anthony Worsley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Maternal Education ◽

Education Level ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Double Burden ◽

Childhood Undernutrition

A double burden of malnutrition in Vietnamese children has emerged as a key challenge: childhood undernutrition remains a public health concern while childhood overweight/obesity has gradually increased. This study aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of undernutrition and overnutrition among 6–9-year-old primary school children in rural areas of Vietnam, and (2) identify sociodemographic factors associated with undernutrition and overnutrition in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in October 2016 in 2334 children from eight primary schools in rural areas in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. Anthropometric and demographic data were collected. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting, and anthropometric failure was 8.0%, 5.1%, 5.3%, and 11.9%, respectively. Up to 22.1% of children were affected by overweight/obesity, and 31.0% by abdominal overweight/obesity. Low maternal education was associated with higher odds of underweight and anthropometric failure, whereas overweight/obesity or abdominal overweight/obesity were more likely in boys and children of mothers with a high education level. This study provides evidence for a double burden of diseases among primary school children in rural areas in Hai Phong City. Future interventions for the prevention and control of childhood undernutrition and overweight/obesity should take into account child sex and maternal education level.

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The style of mothering and its determinants: a study among mothers of lower primary school children

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20190212 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 808

Author(s):

Mohamed Hasin ◽

C. R. Saju ◽

Jenyz M. Mundodan ◽

M. P. Jini

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Parenting Styles ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Community Based ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Changing Times ◽

Authoritative Parenting Style ◽

And Control

Background: The first teacher and everlasting support for a child is his/her mother. Mother–child bonds remain so strongly throughout one’s life in spite of the changing times and complexities of life. Literature suggests that elements of warmth and control from parents, especially mothers positively correlated with achievement and intellectual orientation in children. Objectives were to assess the various styles of mothering and its determinants in mothers of children studying in lower primary schools and residing in Adat panchayat, Thrissur, Kerala.Methods: A community based descriptive study was conducted among 315 mothers of lower primary school children residing in Adat panchayat, Thrissur. Data was collected using Parental Authority Questionnaire.Results: Mean age of mothers was 31.9 years. 73% mothers were practicing predominantly authoritative parenting style, 24% were authoritarian and only 3% were permissive style. The type of family and current age of mothers were significantly associated with the style of mothering. Mothering style did not differ with the gender of children. Occupation of mothers had a significant difference in proportion of parenting styles. The working status of either or both parents significantly influenced the mothering styles.Conclusions: Most mothers followed predominantly authoritative style. Responsive and demanding behaviour of mothers vary significantly with respect to type of family, current age and employment status.

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Prevalence of Short Stature and Malnutrition among Egyptian Primary School Children and their Coexistence with Anemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-23568/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ali M. El Shafie ◽

Zeinab A. Kasemy ◽

Zein A. omar ◽

Safa H. Alkalash ◽

Amal A. salama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Short Stature ◽

School Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Primary School Children ◽

Health Concern ◽

Preventable Risk Factor ◽

Egyptian Children

Abstract Background Under nutrition and overweight typically occur during nutritional transition periods in developing countries including Egypt. Short stature and anemia are public health concern due to its strong link with malnutrition which is a preventable risk factor. Objectives to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, underweight and short stature and its concurrence with anemia, also to determine the etiological profile of short stature among primary school children in Egypt. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 33150 Egyptian children aged 6–11 years old from January 2018 to January 2020, allocated in 59 primary schools from diverse geographical districts in Egypt. Complete anthropometric measurements were conducted and applied according to WHO growth charts. Hemoglobin level was measured. Systematic approach to detect the etiology of short stature was applied randomly to a sample of 380 stunted children. Results The prevalence of underweight was 8.2%, while obesity and overweight represented 21.8% (9.6% and 12.2% respectively). Overall short stature constituted 17%. The main etiologies of short stature were familial (40.8%) and constitutional (24.2%). Anemia was diagnosed in 26% of children; while concurrent anemia and stunting was reported in 9.9%. Regarding anemia and anemia with stunting were more common among girls (30.0% (OR = 1.50, CI95%: 1.43–1.58) and 11.4% (OR = 1.39, CI95%:1.29–1.49) respectively), who were living in rural areas (33.4% (OR = 1.96, CI 95%:1.87–2.06) &12.7% (OR = 1.72, CI 95%:1.60–1.85)) and those who had low socioeconomic status )34.6% (OR = 2.54, CI 95%:2.29–2.82) & 40.4% (OR = 18.46, CI 95%:15.40-22.12() respectively. Anemia with stunting was significantly higher among children aged ≥ 9 years old representing 12% (OR = 1.40, CI 95%:1.30–1.51). Conclusion Prevalence of short stature, obesity and anemia was high among primary school children in Egypt with a strong concurrence between anemia and stunting. Intensive parental health education and in-depth nutritional assessment are required.

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