This is Part 4/5 of a series concerned with seasonality in the coastal lowlands of Kenya. Household surveys were carried out in six locations in Kwale and Kilifi Districts in 1985-1987. The present... Show moreThis is Part 4/5 of a series concerned with seasonality in the coastal lowlands of Kenya. Household surveys were carried out in six locations in Kwale and Kilifi Districts in 1985-1987. The present report deals with food consumption and the nutritional condition of the study population. Results show that the average energy intake in the sampled households is substantially lower than the reference requirements. However, energy intake differs according to research area, income class and season. On average, only about one-third of the energy intake is covered by the households' own food production. The general seasonality pattern of height and weight growth of the children differs little between the research areas. However, the amplitudes of the seasonal fluctuations differ between the areas. Household income level appears to be an important variable underlying differences in the seasonality of height growth and weight growth. The relationship between household income level and seasonality in the mothers' weight is more complex. In the present study, 'seasonal stress' is assessed in terms of a deterioration of the nutritional condition of the people. To a certain extent, most households are able to prevent this type of seasonal stress by buying food with money derived from a more or less regular type of off-farm employment and to a lesser extent also from farm sales. Show less
This report is concerned with land distribution and rural development and presents the final results of a survey carried out in 1985-1986 in four settlement schemes: Diani and Ukunda in Kwale... Show moreThis report is concerned with land distribution and rural development and presents the final results of a survey carried out in 1985-1986 in four settlement schemes: Diani and Ukunda in Kwale District and Roka and Mtwapa in Kilifi District, Coast Province, Kenya. In each scheme 100 households were visited and information collected regarding small farm characteristics, off-farm employment, socioeconomic differentiation between households, food consumption and nutritional status. Data from a companion survey among the general population were available for comparison purposes. It was found that food crop production, mostly maize and cassava, covers only 60 percent of the staple food requirements. In all schemes, off-farm employment plays an important role and total household income consists for two thirds of employment income. The variation in income and income composition is large. Scheme households, on average, have a higher food energy consumption than the general population as well as a greater variation in diet. As regards nutritional status, there are significant differences between schemes and general population in respect of height-for-age of children. There is no traceable influence of individual schemes as such on the nutritional status of children. It is concluded that from the point of view of regional agricultural development the results of government settlement policy are far from optimal, but that from the point of view of the settler households the schemes are quite prosperous Show less
In this monograph three major types of intervention in child nutrition are examined: nutrition education, food supplementation and nutrition rehabilitation. Detailed evaluations were carried out,... Show moreIn this monograph three major types of intervention in child nutrition are examined: nutrition education, food supplementation and nutrition rehabilitation. Detailed evaluations were carried out, between 1976 and 1979, of programmes in Central Kenya operating under different ecological circumstances. With the results of surveys among the population, these studies provide important material on regarding child nutrition among the Kikuyu, with particular attention to the social context under which nutrition problems arise, on the effects of long-standing programmes among the participants and the causes of the modest nature of these effects. The monograph offers a treatise on the actual practice of impact evaluation in developing countries as a result of the inherent methodological complications and practical limitations under field conditions. Show less
This is the first of a number of reports on social, economic and nutritional conditions in Kwale and Kilifi Districts, Coast Province, Kenya. The reports deal in particular with regional and... Show moreThis is the first of a number of reports on social, economic and nutritional conditions in Kwale and Kilifi Districts, Coast Province, Kenya. The reports deal in particular with regional and seasonal fluctuations in food supply and nutrition. This part contains a description of the research objectives and methodology. Show less
Abr. abstr.: This is an account of a study concerning the occurrence of childhood malnutrition in Kilifi District, Kenya. The socioeconomic characteristics of women with malnourished children who... Show moreAbr. abstr.: This is an account of a study concerning the occurrence of childhood malnutrition in Kilifi District, Kenya. The socioeconomic characteristics of women with malnourished children who attended Kilifi Family Life Training Centre in the year 1984/1985 were analysed. Next, the possible influence of intra-household factors on the occurrence of childhood malnutrition was examined. A comparison of two groups of ten mother/child pairs, focusing on feeding and weaning patterns, hygiene, parental care and home stimulation, revealed important variations as regards child/caretaker relationships. In households where no malnutrition had occurred, children were fed more regularly and were provided with more types of stimulation. The question remains whether a malnourished child generates a lower level of stimulation on the caretaker's part, or whether lack of stimulation by the caretaker leads to an increased risk of malnutrition. However, the present findings indicate not only that a relationship between childhood malnutrition and home stimulation exists, but that it persists beyond the acute episode and subsequent rehabilitation. Consequently, it is recommended that emphasis during rehabilitation should not only be on nutritional requirements and general child care, but also on individual attention and stimulation given to the child Show less
Based on a survey conducted in 1984, the authors discuss the nutritional conditions prevailing among farming households engaged in irrigated rice cultivation in the Kano plain, Nyanza Province,... Show moreBased on a survey conducted in 1984, the authors discuss the nutritional conditions prevailing among farming households engaged in irrigated rice cultivation in the Kano plain, Nyanza Province, Kenya. The survey covered four groups reflecting different degrees of participation in and/or dependence on irrigated rice cultivation: non-rice growers, individual rice growers participating in small schemes, non-resident tenants at large schemes, and resident tenants at large schemes. The observed differences in nutritional status between the four groups were above all related to differences in their resource base. The group with the smallest resource base, the resident tenants at the large irrigation schemes (Ahero and West Kano) showed the poorest results in all respects. The survey results do not substantiate the assumption made at the start of the irrigation schemes, that the livelihood of rural families can be fully covered by means of cash farming. Show less
During the course of 1978, the three Family Life Training Centres studied admitted 273 women accompanied by 674 children. Women with malnourished children (and their siblings) are admitted to these... Show moreDuring the course of 1978, the three Family Life Training Centres studied admitted 273 women accompanied by 674 children. Women with malnourished children (and their siblings) are admitted to these centres for a 3-week course consisting primarily of nutrition and health education, but also covering good housekeeping and agriculture. During their stay mothers are taught to prepare a balanced diet from local foods to treat their children's condition. A group of 61 mothers and 94 children were interviewed and examined at admission, at discharge and at their homes, six months afterwards. A control group consisting of 100 mothers and 147 children drawn from two rural areas were interviewed and examined twice over the same period. The study concentrated on: (a) socio-economic circumstances; (b) nutritional knowledge; (c) maternal food preferences; (d) food consumption of the children; and (e) nutritional status and progress of the children. It was found that the nutritional knowledge and preferences of the women admitted to the centres were no less than that of other rural Kikuyu women, and it appeared that malnutrition is related more to adverse socio-economic circumstances than to ignorance Show less
Contains an account of a study of the effects of the Pre-School Health Programme at three clinics in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers were selected for... Show moreContains an account of a study of the effects of the Pre-School Health Programme at three clinics in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers were selected for interviewing: recent entrants and longtime participants. The study concentrates on the following aspects: nutritional knowledge; maternal food preferences; food consumption of the children during the previous day; and nutritional status of the children. Conclusion: the strenght of the programme lies in the food distribution rather than in the educational component. Show less
This report contains an account of a study of the effects of nutrition education as given at three health centres in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers in... Show moreThis report contains an account of a study of the effects of nutrition education as given at three health centres in different ecological zones in Central Province, Kenya. Two groups of mothers in similar social and economic situations were selected for interviewing: frequent and infrequent visitors. They were compared on the following indicators: nutritional knowledge, maternal food preferences, food consumption of the children during the previous day and nutritional status of the children. Conclusion: nutrition education has little or no impact on the whole range of nutritional attitudes of mothers, their behaviour and the nutritional status of children. Show less
