Cultural Determinants Associated with Malnutrition in Children Aged ۶-۵۹ Months in West Pokot County, Kenya

Background: Malnutrition is deficiencies or excess nutrients by an individual. Includes under-nutrition and micronutrient-related malnutrition. It causes about half of all fatalities in children below five years; increases the chance of a child dying from common ailments. Cultural determinants are associated with malnutrition of ages ۶-۵۹ months. Objectives: The study sought to establish the determinants contributing to child malnutrition in West Pokot County of Kenya. Methods: This was cross sectional study. Multistage cluster sampling was applied. Anthropometric measures of ۴۲۰ children aged ۶-۵۹ months in Pokot North Sub-County were assessed. Data was collected from August-September, ۲۰۲۲ using online questionnaire. Pretesting was done for validity and reliability. SPSS v.۲۰۲۲ used for data analysis. Chi-Square and Odds Ratios and Confidence intervals were used to test variables. Results: Mean (SD) age of the respondents’ children was ۲۹.۹ (۱۶.۰). Over ۶۰% of children were below ۳۵ weeks. Children with ۰-۱۱ months had lower representation (۱۵.۲%). ۸۲.۴% had one younger sibling. Monogamy (۷۶.۸%) had fewer malnutrition cases (OR: ۰.۵; P=۰.۰۱۵). Violence was high and had impact on malnutrition (۳۴.۵%). Traditional food restrictions caused malnutrition (OR:۱.۸; ۹۵% CI:۱.۲-۲.۸; P=۰.۰۰۶). Conclusion: There is evidence that some cultural aspects: types of marriage, caretaker violence and food taboos contribute to malnutrition in children aged ۶-۵۹ months in West Pokot County. Awareness on harmful cultural practices should be implemented. More studies should be done to establish why cultural practices still exist.