Joana Apenkwa

Prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition Joana Apenkwa

Protein Energy Malnutrition is the leading cause of death in children under two in African of which Ghana is not exception. A cross-sectional study was designed for 360 mothers with children less than 2 years and 24 nurses on prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in children under 2 years at Ahafo-Ano South District, in Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study was to determine the prevalence and factors predisposing children to PEM in the Ahafo-Ano District in the Ashanti Region. The simple random sampling technique was used to choose mothers with child(ren) under two years who were present at the CWC in the 2 selected communities for the administration of interview guide and taking of child(ren)?s weight, height and age for anthropometric study. In addition, the purposive sampling technique was used to conduct an interview for nurses working in the selected communities on the nutritional programmes available at the district. Prevalence rate of PEM in children under two revealed that 33.6% of the children were stunted, 14.7% underweight and wasting represented 7.2%. The study further indicated that 89% of mothers or caregivers have heard of PEM before and knows much about PEM w