Livestock keeping and consumption in improving nutritional status of 6 to 59 months old children in Kasulu rural households

Abstract

Livestock keeping and consumption of Animal Source Foods (ASF) in Kasulu rural households is relatively poor, thus posing a higher risk of under-five children malnutrition. Therefore, the study examined if livestock keeping and consumption contributes to nutritional status among 6 to 59 months old children. A cross-sectional study design was employed involving 413 households using a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data using a standardized procedure. The study found a strong relationship between livestock ownership, Animal Source Food consumption, and improved nutritional status. Chicken (p = 0.000), goat (p = 0.025), sheep (p = 0.026), and duck (p = 0.000) showed a strong association in terms of consumption. Animals like chicken (p = 0.011), and pigeons (p = 0.000) consumption showed a strong association with being underweight. Pigeon (p = 0.000) consumption showed a strong association with wasting and no animal consumption showed a strong association with stunting. Binary regression showed a higher odd ratio with goat (OR = 2.576, 95%CI: 0.909-4.076) and (OR = 2.915, 95%CI: 0.334-2.055) led to stunting and underweight respectively. The study concludes that livestock keeping and Animal Source Food consumption improve children’s nutritional status and households in the study area. Therefore Kasulu rural households are encouraged to keep more livestock and consume regularly animal-sourced foods. Keywords: Contribution, animal source food, under five, Kasulu rural households.