INFLUENCE OF GIRIAMA FOOD BELIEFS ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN BELOW TWO YEARS IN KILIFI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The influence of Giriama food beliefs on physical growth of children below two years is yet to be fully understood and appreciated as an important and critical link to child under nutrition in Kilifi County, Kenya. Thirty nine percent of children below five years in Kilifi County are stunted, the mortality prevalence rate of under-fives currently stands at 141/1000). The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of Giriama traditional food beliefs on physical growth of children less than 2 years. The study identified the Giriama traditional food beliefs, investigated the level of adherence to these beliefs and the influence of these beliefs on the physical growth of children less than 2 years. A descriptive cross section survey design was used. In order to assess the physical growth of the children less than 2 years, their anthropometric measurements of weight, height and Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) were taken. The World Health (WHO) Z score based classification of Weight for Age (WAZ), Weight for Length (WLZ) and Length for Age (LAZ) less than -2 Standard Deviation (SD) as indicators of under nutrition, wasting and stunting were employed respectively . A MUAC cut-off less than11.5cm was considered an indicator of severe under nutrition. Adherence was defined as level of compliance to the Giriama food beliefs by the mother. It was determined using principal component analysis. In this method, an adherence score was computed from eight variables that best described compliance to the food beliefs. Three levels of adherence were established, high, average and low levels using the Likert scale. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative information from Focus Group Discussions were transcribed, reviewed and coded in a way that brought meaning by identifying thematic areas that connected to the objectives of the study. Findings showed that, the Giriama adhere to food beliefs and that they influence physical growth of children below two years. Mothers with low adherence had children with the highest WAZ compared to mothers with high adherence (P=0.0002 adherence (mean of -1.19) P=0.01. The mean Standard Deviation (SD) for WAZ, WLZ, LAZ and MUAC were - 1.52 (1.6), -0.76 (1.9), -1.70 (2.4) and 12.92 (1.7) cm respectively. Children with a MUAC less than11.5cm were 18%. Nutritional status by level of adherence to food beliefs showed significant association between WAZ, WLZ, and MUAC. Stunting (LAZ) was not associated with adherence to the food beliefs. Logistic Multivariate Regression (LMR) revealed that only child and mothers age had significant association with all the nutritional status indicators of different anthropometry. The nutritional status of children below two years is negatively influenced by mothers’ adherence to the Giriama food beliefs. The study recommends that adherence to the food beliefs be considered a risk factor for malnutrition in Kilifi County. It recommends that Growth monitoring and Promotion of children incorporate cultural indicators for malnutrition to identify children at risk for malnutrition. Further research is recommended on diseases perceived as traditional and their health implications.