Relationship between Socio Demographic Status and Risk Factors for Micronutrient Utilization among Mothers in Mwea West Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the Risk Factors for Micronutrient Utilization among the Mothers in the Sub County and in particular water sources and waste disposal. The sampling frame included all the mothers with at least one child aged 2 to 5 years. The survey design was employed and was cross sectional in nature. The sample size was 401. It was established that canal water was used by majority of the Households. Other sources included piped water, river borehole and roof catchment. The household water source was significantly correlated to Occupation, House construction type, Income level and Size of land owned by the households. These variables contributed up to 60.1% of the variations in household water sourcing in the Sub County.  Majority of the respondents, disposed of their waste through burning the refuse, compost pit, or fed it to livestock. The waste disposal methods were not significantly correlated to household socio-demographics.

Key Words: Malnutrition, Micronutrient Status, Micronutrient utilization, Food Security, Micronutrient risk factors