Relationship between Antenatal Visits and Under-Five Under-Nutrition: A Case Study of Ekpoma, Edo-Nigeria
[1]
Ozor M. O. , Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.
[2]
Omuemu V. O. , Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
A cross-sectioned study was conducted in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State in Nigeria to investigate the impact of antenatal service utilizations on risk of under-nutrition among under-five children. 402 households, in which there were children in the right age groups, were interviewed using questionnaire and face to face. Of the 402 children in these households, 24.38% were under nourished. Malnutrition was associated with mother's utilization of prenatal services during pregnancy as mothers who registered for antenatal services were over 2 times less likely to present with under nourished under-five. Based on the findings of this study, utilization of antenatal service is one sure way to curb the under nutrition trend in many developing countries that share similar characteristics with Ekpoma, Edo state Nigeria.
Antenatal Services, Under-Nutrition, Under-Five Children, Nigeria
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