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Methodology

The study aimed to determine the dietary intake and nutritional status of children under 5 years in Kirwara subcounty, Murang'a county. A cross-sectional study using multistage sampling identified 160 households for observation and interviews. Data was collected on demographics, dietary practices, morbidity, and analyzed using SPSS to describe frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations.

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22 views4 pages

Methodology

The study aimed to determine the dietary intake and nutritional status of children under 5 years in Kirwara subcounty, Murang'a county. A cross-sectional study using multistage sampling identified 160 households for observation and interviews. Data was collected on demographics, dietary practices, morbidity, and analyzed using SPSS to describe frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations.

Uploaded by

john mwangi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction
In this chapter the research design, study location, target population, sample size,
data collection instruments, data collection procedures and data analysis are
presented.
3.2 Study Design
A cross sectional descriptive study of dietary intakes by observation was
conducted. These involved collection of data within a short period of time to
determine the current status of that population with respect to dietary intake,
morbidity and nutritional status of children under five years.
3.3 Study Area
The study was carried in kirwara sub county in Murang'a county.
3.4 VARIABLES
Dependent variable This refers to nutrition and dietary intake of children
below 5year
Independent variable Nutritional status of children
Dietary intake of children
3.5 Study Population
The target population consisted of 160 households with under five children, in
kirwara subcounty .
3.6 Sampling Procedure
Multistage sampling method was used to select the study sample. It provides a
useful approach when there is no adequate list of the individuals in a population
and no way to get at the population directly. A list of all households which was
available from the chief’s office within the study area was made as a first stage.
Snowball sampling technique was used to identify households with children under
five years between the age of 6-59 months. Initial subjects with desired
characteristics were identified who named others that they knew until the
researcher got the number of cases required (Mugenda, 2003).
3.7 Sample Size
A sample of 10% of the accessible population is enough for a descriptive study
(Fowler, 2003; Gay, 2009). The total population of children under five years
within the study area was 1,604, the researcher only needed ten percent of the
population, therefore, secret ballot papers written (‘yes’) or (‘no’) option were
folded and put in a box then given to mothers and caregivers of the children to
pick. This gave them all an equal opportunity to participate in the study. Those
who picked ‘yes’ are the ones who participated in the study while those who
picked ‘no’ were left out.
Inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria
The study included the following
 Both male and female children below the age of 5yrs
 Households willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent
 Patients aged 5years and below at the time of interview
Exclusion criteria
 Households unwilling to participate and consent
 Households in children above 5 years
 Children not from Kirwara subcounty
3.8 Interview Schedule
The interview schedule was administered to the mothers. In cases where the
mother did not live with the child the main caregiver was interviewed. The
interviews were done orally where the researcher guided the respondent through
the questions. Answers were entered using the code given in the brackets on the
interview schedule. Sections of the interview schedule included the following:
demographic information, household dietary practices, morbidity of children
under five years, food and water safety.
3.9 Observations
Observation and recording of food eaten by the children within the household was
used as a means for data collection by the researcher. This method was useful in
gathering relevant information on what foods households actually purchase, cook
and serve; sanitation, hygienic practices and nutritional status of children.
Observation objectively shows what people do, not what they say.
3.10 Ethical Considerations
A permit letter was obtained from the research committee at the Ministry of
Health, through the department of Clinical Medicine. Confidentiality was
maintained during and after the study. Consent was obtained from the respondents
after explaining the purpose of the study. No information received from the study
was given or disclosed to unauthorised persons external to the team implementing
the study.

3.11 Pre-testing the Research Instrument


Pre-testing of the interview schedule was carried out on 10 respondents prior to
the research. The respondents were randomly selected. The sample tested gave
suggestions for improvement of the interview schedule, which were incorporated
in the final draft. Pre-testing was carried out in order to enhance the reliability,
validity and clarity of the research instruments. The 10 respondents used in the
pre-test were not included in the final study.
3.12 Data Collection Procedures
A research permit was obtained from the local provincial administrators such as
the chief and assistant chief were informed about the study in order for it to be
conducted within the study area.
3.13 Data Analysis
Data obtained from the household interview were entered and analysed using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11. Descriptive statistics
such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation were computed.
3.13 Limitations of the study
The study was limited to the sampled division of households. The study was
carried out in Kirwara sub county. Conditions in the rural differ from other formal
settlements hence generalization of results should be done with caution.

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