Abstract:
Approximately 826 million people in the world are undernourished or chronically food insecure
facing a shortfall in the energy requirement by between 100-400 kilocalories while 790 million
people in developing countries subsist on diets that are deficient in energy. In Kenya 50% of the
rural population is food insecure. Nyanza, Rift Valley and Eastern provinces contributed 66% of
the total rural food poverty. Numerous socioeconomic and cultural factors influence the decision
on patterns of feeding and nutritional status. In adequate kilocurie intake is often associated with
iadequate intake of micronutrients. Malnutrition in women is not conspicuous and remains to a
large extent unaccounted for and unreported, thus insufficient attention has been given to the
extent, causes and consequences of malnutrition in women. As a result inadequate resources and
efforts have been allocated to improving women's nutrition compared with other nutritional and
public health actions.. This lack of emphasis on women's nutrition is unacceptable given the
importance of nutrition to women's health, pregnancy outcome and child survival. This study
thus sought to investigate maternal Socio-economic Factors and their influence on Kilocalorie
intake, in South Nyanza, Kenya. Objectives of the study included determining socio-economic
factors and determining Kilocalorie intake, The study adopted a descriptive survey and
comprehensive sampling was used to select a sample of 100 women for the study. Data was
collected by use of structured questionnaires for socioeconomic, factors and Kilocalorie intake
was obtained by use of 24- hour recall and food weighing technique. Data was analyzed by use
of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 9) and dietary data was analyzed by use
of Nutri-survey computer package. Descriptive statistics was used to describe other data.
Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test for significant relationships
between variables and t test was used to test for significant difference between mean of nutrients.
Daily Kilocalorie intake was found to be 1436.42 +_ 421.8 std Kcal/ day. Women in this study
consume fewer calories than what is recommended as adequate. The study found possible
influence of socioeconomic variables on Kilocalorie intake. The study fills the knowledge gap, and is of benefit to future research work, various government departments, local and
international agencies, the community and women. The government and health and nutrition
organizations need to provide social and nutritional support to women in this region. |
