Factors associated with malnutrition among children aged six months to five years in a semi-rural area of the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Malnutrition is a global concern and it impacts negatively on mortality, morbidity, educability and productivity. Millions of children in South Africa are affected. This study examines the key factors associated with malnutrition among children aged six months to five years in a semi-rural area of the Western Cape, South Africa. A quantitative research approach was employed by using a descriptive and exploratory design. All parents and caregivers who accompanied the children (under the age of five years old), visiting the clinic, were given an opportunity to participate in the study on a voluntary basis. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to parents and caregivers (n=100) for data collection. SPSS statistical software (V24) was used to analyse the data. The results indicated that the factors were grouped and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was determined as greater than 0.7. The results revealed that these factors included obesity (26%), underweight (51%), stunting (14%), severe acute (4%) and moderate acute (5%) malnutrition. The results also revealed that the majority of households were single mothers with low income (51% have a monthly income of between R2 000 and R5 000, and 30% of families who earn a monthly salary of less than R2 000) and a poor educational background. This study concluded that more male children were diagnosed with malnutrition than females. The employment status of the mothers also affects the nutritional status of the child. More children from unemployed mothers and a few children from self-employed mothers had moderate acute malnutrition compared to employed mothers who had no children suffering from malnutrition.