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FACTORS INFLUENCING MALNUTRITION AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS ATTENDING GENERAL HOSPITAL GBOKO

The study focused on assessing factors influencing malnutrition among caregivers of under-five children attending General Hospital Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria. The Health Belief Model was employed as the theoretical framework to explore caregivers' perceptions regarding malnutrition and related health behaviors. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, targeting caregivers attending the hospital. Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 187 participants was determined from a population of 352 through purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted via structured questionnaires distributed over a one-week period, with all questionnaires retrieved and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Findings of the study from 187 respondents (96.2% female) revealed that socio-economic determinants significantly contribute to malnutrition. Overall, these findings underscore the multifaceted interplay of economic, cultural, and environmental factors in sustaining under-five malnutrition in Gboko. The study concluded that malnutrition among under-five children in Gboko is predominantly influenced by socio-economic constraints, entrenched cultural practices and adverse environmental conditions. Thus, without addressing these multidimensional challenges, efforts to improve child nutrition will continue to yield suboptimal results. Recommendations include multi-sectoral collaboration involving government agencies, healthcare providers, and community leaders to implement nutrition education, enhance economic empowerment through skill acquisition, and improve access to healthcare services. Targeted policies to address food security and poverty are vital. Strengthening health facilities in GHB is also essential to curb malnutrition and its adverse effects on under-five children.

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Uploaded on Jul 25, 2026, 10:54:34 AM

MalnutritionCaregiversUnder-five Children

Notes

This study findings might generate useful data on the perceived factors influencing malnutrition among caregivers of under five children in Nigeria with reference to General Hospital Gboko. Therefore, Nurses and Midwives may use the study findings to find out ways of preventing malnutrition among under five children through health education with available local clubs to improve nutrition hereby preventing morbidity and mortality in under five children. The findings of the study might be used by government and non-government organisation (NGOs) in collaboration with keen stakeholders to put in modalities such as economic empowerment through soft laws and skill acquisition to residents of Gboko town. The findings may encourage support with food items to resident affected with crisis and herdsmen attack to improve their nutritional status. Also, the findings from this study might be used by stakeholders including State Ministry of Health to tailor its targeted interventions to General Hospital Gboko, especially recruitment and training of staff. Finally, these study findings will add to the available literature that will be used for further studies by interested researchers.

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