Thesis Abstract

The study was undertaken to assess the feeding practices, anthropometric indices, vitamin A,zinc and iron status of under-five orphans living in Federal Capital Territory orphanages, Abuja.A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using 200 orphans (96 males and 104 females)aged between 0-5 years living in ten orphanages. The subjects were purposively selected for thestudy and 20% of sub-sample was randomly selected for biochemical analysis and weighed foodintake assessment. Haemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin were used to assess anaemia and ironstatus, respectively. Serum retinol was used to assess vitamin A status and serum zinc was usedto assess zinc status. The subjects were screened for malaria parasites and worm infection todetermine their possible impact on anaemia. C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as an indicatorfor inflammation. Anthropometric information was assessed using height, weight and mid upperarm circumference. Feeding practices and socioeconomic information were assessed usingquestionnaires.Dietary intake was determined using both food frequency questionnaire andweighed food intake techniques. The values obtained from nutrient intakes were compared withFAO/WHO recommended nutrients intake. Anaemia cut off was Hb < 11.0mg/dl, iron deficiencycut off was serum ferritin levels below 12ug/dl and serum retinol < 20μg/dl showed marginalvitamin A deficiency. Zinc deficiency was defined as a reading bellow 80μg/dl. There was highprevalence of zinc deficiency (60.0%) in relation to 30.0% of iron and 20.0% of vitamin Adeficiencies among the under-five children. The prevalence of anaemia was 42.5%. The childrenmet the mean daily energy, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin and riboflavin intake. Zinc, vitamin A,niacin and ascorbate were below the recommended allowance. When dietary iron, zinc andvitamin A intake were correlated with the biochemical status of the children, adequate dietaryiron intake significantly (P<0.05) correlated with good ferritin and zinc status of the children.

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