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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Nutritional status of children 0–59 months in selected intervention communities in northern Ghana from the africa RISING project in 2012

Authors: Mary Glover-Amengor, Isaac Agbemafle, Lynda Larmkie Hagan, Frank Peget Mboom, Gladys Gamor, Asamoah Larbi, Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon

Published in: Archives of Public Health | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Poor nutritional status during childhood and its long-term impact on economic growth and wellbeing is well known. This study assessed the nutritional status of children in selected communities in northern Ghana, to serve as baseline data for the Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) project that sought to improve farm-household nutrition through agriculture.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among children 0–59 months in selected communities in the Northern (Tibali and Cheyohi No. 2), Upper West (Goli and Zanko) and Upper East (Bonia and Sambulgu) regions of northern Ghana. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on background characteristics of caregivers and children. Weight and height were measured for children following World Health Organization (WHO) procedures and transformed into z-scores using the WHO Anthro.

Results

All the caregivers (522) were females; majority (73.4 %) had no formal education, 82.7 % were married and 70.5 % engaged in farming. In all, 533 children were recruited: Northern region (38.6 %), Upper West (33.4 %) and Upper East (28.0 %). Majority (52.5 %) of the children were males. The mean age was 32 ± 19 months. Levels of stunting, underweight and wasting were 27.2, 17.6 and 8.2 % respectively. Stunting, underweight and wasting levels increased within the first two years of life. Overall, 33.8 % of the children in northern Ghana were malnourished; 20.2 % were from the Northern region, 7.0 and 6.8 % were from Upper East and Upper West respectively.

Conclusion

Different forms of malnutrition still exist as a public health problem in various communities in northern Ghana and need to be curtailed using effective agriculture-nutrition sensitive interventions.

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Title: Nutritional status of children 0–59 months in selected intervention communities in northern Ghana from the africa RISING project in 2012
Authors: Mary Glover-Amengor
Isaac Agbemafle
Lynda Larmkie Hagan
Frank Peget Mboom
Gladys Gamor
Asamoah Larbi
Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Archives of Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 2049-3258
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-016-0124-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Nutritional status of children 0–59 months in selected intervention communities in northern Ghana from the africa RISING project in 2012

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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