RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FEEDING AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN KITIMBWA SUB COUNTY KAYUNGA DISTRICT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background This study aims to examine the relationship between feeding and academic performance of students in Kitimbwa Sub County Kayunga District. Methodology A cross-sectional survey design using both quantitative and qualitative methods was used to collect data from 202 students 30 teachers and 7 Headteachers. The qualitative study design investigated the possibility of the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables like feeding, sanitation, accommodation, and academic performance. Data on living conditions was gathered using a questionnaire with a standard Likert-type scale with closed-ranking items. Structured interview guides were used to collect views from the non-students. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the t-test while interview data was analyzed using frequency analysis by counting the number of times of responses had by the respondents. Results The majority 115 (56.9%) were female while 87 (43.1%) were male. This meant that girl child education has been given due consideration since girls were more than the boys in the A‟ level section unlike before when boys dominated the whole system of education. The results of the analysis showed a highly significant effect of feeding on academic performance. This was given by the computed value of the F- ratio of 8.26 while the corresponding p-value of 0.00 was less than the level of significance alpha 0.05. In schools where feeding was perceived as being good, the performance of students was higher than those in schools where feeding was moderate and poor. Conclusion In schools where feeding was poor, even students' academic performance was poor compared to schools where feeding was moderate and good. Recommendation Secondary schools in Kitimbwa Sub County should use their land to establish agricultural and poultry farms to supplement the food provided to balance the diet.