Peer-reviewed article
Socio-demographic characteristics and awareness of risk factors of severe acute malnutrition among parents of children admitted in stabilization centres in Northern Nigeria: A multi-centre observational study
Mikailu Abubakar Jangebe, Abdulhakeem Hamza, Sunday Ochapa Onazi, Yassir Abubakar, Abdulaziz Mohammed Danmadami et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5This study looked at 408 parents of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admitted to treatment centres in Yobe and Zamfara states, Northern Nigeria. It examined their social and economic background and how much they knew about the causes of SAM. Most families were poor, rural, polygamous, and had little formal education, and almost half had been displaced by insecurity. Parents living in urban areas and those with children who had chronic illnesses were more aware of SAM risk factors than others. The authors conclude that improving maternal education and antenatal care use, along with community awareness programs, could help reduce malnutrition.
Key points
- 56.6% of children with SAM were male, average age 23.9 months
- 71.3% of families were polygamous and rural; 48.5% had been displaced by insecurity
- 96.3% of families were classified as lower socio-economic class
- Urban parents were far more aware of the antenatal care–SAM link (odds ratio 13.9, p<0.001)
- Parents of children with chronic illnesses had greater awareness of SAM risk than those with recent illnesses (p<0.001)
Limitations
The study is a cross-sectional survey describing associations, not a test of any intervention, so it cannot show whether awareness programs actually reduce malnutrition.
Abstract
Objectives: The study aims to determine socio-demographic characteristics and assess awareness of risk factors of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among parents of children admitted to stabilisation centres in Northern Nigeria. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between September and December 2025 across Federal Medical Centre Nguru (Yobe State) and three centres in Zamfara State (Talata Mafara, Gusau, Shinkafi). Structured questionnaires were administered to 408 parents of children aged 6–59 months diagnosed with SAM. Socio-demographic data, parental awareness of SAM risk factors and anthropometric measurements were collected. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25, with Chi-square and logistic regression applied to test associations, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the children with SAM recruited was 23.9 ± 10.8 months; More than half (56.6%) were male. Nearly three-fifths of the mothers of the children were aged 14–29 years (57.6%), while fathers were older (mean 44.0 ± 11.0 years). Polygamous families predominated (71.3%), with the majority (71.3%) residing in rural areas. Nearly half (48.5%) reported displacement due to insecurity. Fathers were predominantly peasant farmers (75%), while 87.1% of mothers were housewives. Formal education was lacking in 55.4% of fathers and 55.5% of mothers. Socio-economic classification revealed 96.3% belonged to the lower class. Awareness of the link between antenatal care and SAM prevention was significantly higher among urban parents (odds ratio = 13.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.3–23.3; p < 0.001). Parents of children with chronic illnesses demonstrated greater awareness of SAM risk compared to those with recent illnesses ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Parents of children admitted with SAM in Northern Nigeria are predominantly of low socioeconomic status, rural residence and limited formal education. Awareness of risk factors associated with SAM is significantly influenced by the place of abode and type of illness. Strengthening maternal education, improving antenatal care utilisation and targeted community-based awareness programs are essential to reduce the SAM burden.