By Ndidi Chukwu
A Civil Society Scaling-Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) study on the Status of Malnutrition at the National and three focal States, reports children in Kaduna State at risk. The CS-SUNN report says there is slow progress in addressing malnutrition and mortality in children, and thus the study in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger States.
“Indices of Malnutrition are higher in Kaduna State than Nasarawa, Niger and all are above the recommended national average” said Dr. Kola M. Anigo, the Study lead person from the Ahmedu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. For stunting, children shorter than their age, nationally, the burden among children of 0-59 months of age is at 36.8 percent. Kaduna according to the report shares 56.6% while Nasarawa and Niger shares 34.5% and 34.2% respectively.
On the prevalence of Global Acute Malnutrition, for children of 0-59 months of age, Nigeria has 8.7% prevalence and in States, kaduna contributes 41.7% of the total national prevalence rate, while 9.8% and 17.7% are in Nasarawa and Niger state respectively.
For the prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) the climax which has the highest mortality rate for 0-59 months of age children, Nigeria records 8.7%, Kaduna has 27.6% of the 8.7% national burden, Nasarawa has 3.5% and Niger 8.0%. Malnutrition contributes 27 percent of under five deaths in Nigeria. CS-SUNN – Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) project on malnutrition is calling on states to develop strategic plan of actions for nutrition.
