PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 0–5 YEARS IN BENISHEIK COMMUNITY, KAGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Globally, proper nutrition is fundamental for children’s growth, development, learning, play, and active participation in society. Ensuring that every child has access to adequate food is not only a parental duty but also a critical determinant of a child's well-being and rights. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria affirms the protection of children’s rights, including nutritional rights, particularly in Chapter II, which emphasizes the state’s role in safeguarding children from neglect and exploitation (Section 17(3)). Furthermore, Chapter IV strengthens these rights by guaranteeing the right to life (Section 33(1)) and protection of human dignity (Section 34(1)), indirectly reinforcing the right to adequate nutrition. The Child Rights Act of 2003 explicitly supports this by stating in Section 13 that every child is entitled to a standard of nutrition that ensures healthy development. These legal provisions collectively demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to securing the nutritional welfare of its children. Despite these frameworks, malnutrition continues to rob many children of their future, limiting their potential and contributing to long-term developmental challenges. It is especially pervasive in low-income and developing countries and remains a significant public health issue among children under five, accounting for a large proportion of childhood mortality in these regions. According to the Education for All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report by UNESCO (2021), over a quarter of children under fifteen in Sub-Saharan Africa are underweight due to poor diets and poverty, leaving them more vulnerable to disease. Additionally, over one-third of African children under the age of five experience stunted growth, a reflection of chronic malnutrition (World Health Statistics, 2009). Malnutrition has been described from various perspectives. Marian Hill (2019) defines it as the absence of essential dietary components in a person's diet. Similarly, the Billies Nurses Dictionary (18th edition) characterizes it as a state of insufficient nutritional intake. According to Tefera (2018), malnutrition arises when the body is deprived of necessary nutrients due to an imbalanced or insufficient diet, digestive disorders, poor absorption, or medical issues. While it typically refers to undernutrition caused by inadequate intake or nutrient loss, it may also encompass overnutrition resulting from excessive consumption of specific nutrients. Prolonged nutritional deficiencies, either in quantity or quality, can thus lead to malnutrition. Solomon and Zemene (2018) explain that for optimal growth, health, and energy, the body requires all six classes of nutrients in the right proportions. Malnutrition, therefore, results from dietary imbalances where certain essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, or fats are either lacking or excessively consumed. In the Nigerian context, the statistics are troubling. Annually, over one million Nigerian children die before reaching their fifth birthday, with UNICEF identifying malnutrition as either a direct or underlying cause in 45% of these deaths (UNICEF, 2020). Nigeria ranks second globally in terms of the number of stunted children, with a national stunting rate of 32% among under-five children. According to the National Nutrition and Health Survey (NNHS, 2018), approximately 2.5 million children under five in Nigeria are affected by acute malnutrition, and more than 400,000 suffer from severe acute malnutrition (NBS, 2019). Stunting—a long-term manifestation of chronic malnutrition—affects nearly one in three children, undermining their physical and cognitive growth (World Bank, 2021). In Northern Nigeria, malnutrition rates exceed global averages, particularly among populations affected by displacement, conflict, and economic hardship. The Boko Haram insurgency and recurrent humanitarian emergencies have severely exacerbated the crisis. UNICEF (2022) reports that approximately six million children aged 0–59 months in Northern Nigeria are currently suffering or are at risk of acute malnutrition due to poverty, poor maternal care, food shortages, insecurity, and environmental disasters such as floods and droughts. 1.2 Statement of the Problem In recent years, Northern Nigeria—especially the Northeast and Northwest regions—has faced persistently high and deeply concerning levels of malnutrition among children. This crisis is intensified by ongoing armed conflict, displacement, chronic food insecurity, and poor access to health services, particularly in rural communities (World Food Programme, 2021). While general statistics on malnutrition in Nigeria are widely available, there is limited data specific to rural or conflict-prone areas like Benisheik village in Kaga Local Government Area (LGA), despite being among the worst affected. Previous studies (Mustapha et al., 2018; Ibrahim et al., 2020) have largely overlooked these micro-regions, leaving crucial gaps in understanding the unique causes and prevalence of malnutrition in such settings. Though national-level studies on malnutrition exist, the underlying factors contributing to malnutrition—especially at the community level—remain insufficiently understood. To reduce malnutrition effectively, a detailed understanding of its local drivers is required. Adeniyi (2019) notes that while national studies offer valuable insights, they often fail to capture the lived realities of rural children. Moreover, the prolonged insurgency in Northeast Nigeria has added another layer of complexity, further disrupting food supply chains, healthcare access, and community resilience—factors that directly affect children's nutritional status. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the incidence of malnutrition among children aged 0–5 years in Benisheik village, Kaga LGA, Borno State. Through a detailed analysis of malnutrition prevalence and its associated factors, this research seeks to provide context-specific evidence that can inform targeted interventions and policies to improve child nutrition and health in one of Nigeria's most vulnerable communities. 1.3 Objectives of the Study The broad objective of the study is focused on the Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Children Aged 0–5 Years in Benisheik Community, Kaga Local Government Area, Borno State. Specifically, the study seeks to: 1. To determine the extent of mortality in children age 0-5 years resulting from malnutrition. 2. To determine the extent of morbidity in children 0-5 years resulting from malnutrition. 3. To assess the knowledge of the mothers on possible cause of malnutrition in Benisheik village. 4. To determine the infectious diseases associated with malnutrition. 5. To assess the role of health workers toward prevention and management of malnutrition in the community. 6. To suggest possible intervention programmes that will be helpful in combating the problem. 1.4 Research Questions 1. What is the extent of mortality in children age 0-5 years resulting from malnutrition? 2. What is the extent of morbidity in children 0-5 years resulting from malnutrition? 3. What is the knowledge of the mothers on possible cause of malnutrition in Benisheik village? 4. What are the infectious diseases associated with malnutrition? 5. What are role of health workers toward prevention and management of malnutrition in the community? 6. What are the possible intervention programmes that will be helpful in combating the problem? 1.5 Research Hypotheses Ho1: The incidence of malnutrition among children 0 to 5 years in Benisheik village of Kaga LGA of Borno State is low. Hi1: The incidence of malnutrition among children 0 to 5 years in Benisheik village of Kaga LGA of Borno State is high. 1.6 Significance of the Study Practically, the government and the policy makers will borrow from findings of the study to formulate policies that will enhance the proper management of malnutrition in the country especially in the rural areas.Hospital administrations will gain an understanding from the study on the malnutrition and the factors associated to it in children under five years of age. They will be able to device the ideal ways of improving the management of malnutrition and putting in place a proper nutrition intervention. With the new knowledge, Management boards can make policy recommendation as well as policy implementation possible. Theoretically, the study will also help the researcher to advance his knowledge on how to write research on more for future studies, as the researcher will be going for further studies. The findings will be important for other scholars as a point of reference, and they can take up the recommendations of the study as a basis for their research articles. 1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY This study focuses on the Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Children Aged 0–5 Years in Benisheik Community, Kaga Local Government Area, Borno State. Specifically, this study focuses on the extent of mortality in children age 0-5 years resulting from malnutrition, the extent of morbidity in children 0-5 years resulting from malnutrition, the knowledge of the mothers on possible cause of malnutrition in Benisheik village, the infectious diseases associated with malnutrition, the role of health workers toward prevention and management of malnutrition in the community and the possible intervention programmes that will be helpful in combating the problem. Geographically, the study is limited to Benisheik Village of Kaga LGA of Borno State. 1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study. Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges. 1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS Malnutrition: is a broad term commonly used as an alternative to under nutrition but technically it also refers to over nutrition. People are malnourished if their diet does not provide adequate calories and protein for growth and maintenance or they are unable to fully utilize the food they eat due to illness (under nutrition). They are also malnourished if they consume too many calories (over nutrition). (UNICEF, 2006). Nutritional status: The condition of the body in those respects influenced by the diet; the levels of nutrients in the body and the ability of those levels to maintain normal metabolic integrity. Under nutrition: Under nutrition denotes insufficient intake of energy and nutrients to meet an individual's needs to maintain good health. In other words it is a condition where an individual is not getting enough calories, protein, or micronutrients (Young, E.M. 2012).