Abstract
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Article Information:
The Impact of Irrigation on the Nutritional Status of Children in the Sissala West District of Ghana
M. Steiner-Asiedu, B.A.Z. Abu, J. Setorglo, D.K. Asiedu and A.K. Anderson
Corresponding Author: M. Steiner-Asiedu
Submitted: May 14, 2011
Accepted: February 17, 2012
Published: March 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2006) the most sustainable way to reduce
hunger effectively is to improve agriculture and rural development simultaneously. The study investigated the
impact of irrigation dam projects on child nutritional status. A total of 397 mother-child pair from three
communities (control, 1 year and 2 year intervention with introduction of irrigation dam) with and without
irrigation dams participated in the study. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric indicators
(height/length, weight and MUAC) and haemoglobin levels. For haemoglobin assessment a sub-sample of 200
children was used. Twenty four h dietary recall was used to assess dietary intake. The results showed significant
differences (p<0.001) in wasting rates of 11.0, 21.2 and 12.3%, respectively among children in the control, 1
year intervention and 2 year intervention communities respectively. Haemoglobin assessment revealed that a
greater proportion of children (70.1%) were anaemic. The 1 year intervention had a significantly higher number
of children (p<0.001) who had haemoglobin in the normal range. Most (95.9%) of the children did not meet
their energy needs according to their dietary intake records. Child feeding practices continue to be a challenge
in these communities. Currently, the impact of the irrigation dam on the livelihoods and nutritional status of
the children is not obvious but more time is needed to realize the full potential. Nutrition education should
target the incorporation of fish from the dam into young child feeding in these communities.
Key words: Anaemia and irrigation dams, child, nutritional status, stunting, wasting, ,
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Cite this Reference:
M. Steiner-Asiedu, B.A.Z. Abu, J. Setorglo, D.K. Asiedu and A.K. Anderson, . The Impact of Irrigation on the Nutritional Status of Children in the Sissala West District of Ghana. Current Research Journal of Social Sciences, (2): 86-92.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-3246
ISSN (Print): 2041-3238 |
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