ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION OF SCHOOL FEEDING AMONG URBAN AND RURAL CAREGIVERS OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: School feeding / nutrition programme is a consequential part of a school health service. A child who is physically weak, will be mentally weak, and cannot be expected to take full advantage of schooling. The diet of a school child should therefore, receive adequate attention. It should contain all the nutrients in proper proportion, adequate for the maintenance of optimum health. Healthy eating habits among children play a key role in their mental and physical development and also promote growth and reduce many risks associated with both immediate and long-term health problems, hence the need to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of school feeding among caregivers of school age children.

Methodology: This study was carried out in the selected households within communities in Enugu State, South East Nigeria, a comparative, cross-sectional descriptive study involving households that have primary school children in the selected four (two urban and two rural) communities in Enugu State. The minimum sample size was 422 and participant were selected using multistage sampling technique, the questionnaire was a pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire in English language adapted from National Health Demographic Health Survey. The questionnaire was divided into sub-sections. Data were collated, assembled and analyzed using International Business Machine (IBM), Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), and statistics for windows version 23. Descriptive statistics as percentages and frequency were presented in tables. The mean and standard deviation of parameters in each community were obtained and statistical tests of association between the dependent and independent variables were also carried out and the level of statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. The research protocol was reviewed and approval for the project was sought from the Ethics Review Committee of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital. Relevant consents were gotten from traditional rulers/ village heads before the commencement of the study. All subjects had the Right to withdraw from the study anytime they wish without explanation. Confidentiality was maintained throughout the study.

Results: Most of the respondents were female 262 (62.4%) and 158 (37.6%) were males with majority of the respondents having formal education 401 (95.48%) and 194(46.19%) completed tertiary education. Majority of the respondents were household representatives 254(60.5%). On Marital status of respondents 371(88.3) were married, followed by 34(8.1%) respondents that were single parents. 159 of the 420(37.9%) respondents were government employee, 113(37%) respondents were self-employed and 70(16.7%) of the respondents were unemployed. Majority of the respondent had a good knowledge and attitude of school feeding. 169(80.86%) of the respondents in urban area have heard about school feeding before health education. On where they heard about school feeding, majority of the respondents heard about school feeding at school before 87(41.63%) and after 98(46.88%) health education. On the purpose of school feeding, majority 173(82.78%) felt that it helps to improve growth, followed by 167(79.9) to improve school attendance before health education, after health education majority 159(76.08%) still believe it helps to improve growth followed by, to improve school attendance 145(69.38%).

Conclusion: The main fact of school feeding for children is to deliver improved food nourishment, retentive memory, reduce school absenteeism and illness. This ultimately will improve the level of school attendance if implemented; the result is a drastic reduction in school absenteeism, even as the level of knowledge, attitude and perception of school feeding among caregivers is being assessed.