EFFECT OF UNICEF-NUTRITION AND HEALTH PROGRAMME ON RURAL UNDER-5 CHILDREN’S NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study determined the effect of the UNICEF Nutrition and Health Programme on the nutritional status of under-5 children in South-East Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling was used to source for the 288 women and children. The data collected through questionnaire and scheduled interview sessions were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean scores, Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), and Ordinary Least squares (OLS) regression. Results showed that the mothers of under-5 children presented them actively in the programme activities (=2.92). The under-5 children were regularly immunized against killer diseases (=3.32), they were sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets (= 2.75). The under-5 children in the South-East are well nourished (MUAC=15.34cm). The OLS regression results show that participation of the Under-5 children in the programme activities has significant effect on their nutritional status with the F-ratio of 26.74 being statistically significant at a 1% alpha level. The study recommended the inclusion of more women and their Under-5 children in the programme while also advocating for the use of the women participants as sensitizers to get other rural women aware and interested in the programme for the betterment of their under-5 children.