ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN ASA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Malnutrition remains a critical public health challenge in developing nations, particularly affecting children under five years old. In Nigeria, where undernutrition contributes significantly to child morbidity and mortality, maternal knowledge and practices play a pivotal role in mitigating this issue. Mothers are often the primary caregivers, making their understanding of malnutrition’s causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies essential for improving child health outcomes. This study focuses on assessing the knowledge and preventive practices of mothers in Asa Local Government Area (LGA), Kwara State, Nigeria, a region where malnutrition persists due to socioeconomic and educational disparities.  The study involved 210 mothers of under-five children in Asa LGA, selected through a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires designed to address three core research questions and corresponding hypotheses related to maternal knowledge, information sources, and preventive behaviors. The questionnaires captured demographic details, awareness levels, and practices aimed at combating malnutrition. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) to summarize respondents’ characteristics and inferential statistics (Chi-square test, Analysis of Variance [ANOVA], and Pearson’s correlation) to test the stated hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated a high level of knowledge among mothers regarding malnutrition’s causes, manifestations, and prevention, with an overall mean score of 3.91 on a 5-point scale. Healthcare professionals were the most cited and trusted information sources, followed by community health education initiatives and public awareness campaigns. A significant association was found between mothers’ educational attainment and their knowledge of malnutrition (Chi-square = 91.61, p < 0.05), indicating that higher educational levels are associated with better awareness of malnutrition. However, no significant differences were observed in the adoption of preventive practices across educational backgrounds (ANOVA, F = 2.10, p > 0.05), indicating a gap between knowledge and consistent application. A moderate positive correlation was observed between mothers’ knowledge and their preventive practices (r = 0.39, p < 0.05), indicating a meaningful, though modest, relationship between awareness and preventive behavior. and behavior.  The study establishes that mothers in Asa LGA possess substantial knowledge of malnutrition, which positively influences their preventive behaviors. However, the lack of significant variation in practice adoption across educational levels suggests the need for targeted interventions to bridge the knowledge-practice gap. To reduce malnutrition’s burden, the study recommends strengthening health education through community health workers, schools, and media platforms. Nutrition-focused programs should emphasize practical, evidence-based strategies tailored to local contexts, reinforcing maternal knowledge and encouraging consistent preventive practices to enhance child health outcomes in the region.