European Journal of Preventive Medicine

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Knowledge of Teachers in Regards to Childhood Malnutrition and Reported Nutrition Information Resources

Received: 15 October 2015    Accepted: 21 November 2015    Published: 24 February 2016
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Abstract

It is important to examine teacher’s knowledge on malnutrition since they are at the vanguard of the implementation of the school based malnutrition prevention programs and therefore has the vital role to influence nutrition information and behaviour in children. It is only teachers with accurate and substantial information that can orientate the children rightly. This study set out to assess the knowledge levels of teachers on malnutrition in childhood and to explore resources used for information on nutrition. This cross sectional study was conducted among 387 male and female teachers who agreed to participate from 26 public and 13 private primary schools in 3 semi-urban communities in Ido Local Government, Ibadan, Nigeria. A structured and pretested questionnaire was self- administered and collected immediately. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 16 statistical software. The Mean knowledge score was 49.9; 214(55.3%), 145(37.5%), 28(7.2%) teachers had good, fair and poor levels of knowledge respectively. Handbook (80.4%), television (70.5%) and radio (62.5%) were the major resources reported for use on nutrition information. Based on the findings of this study, percentage of teacher’s with adequate knowledge on childhood malnutrition is not sufficient. In-service training focusing on the causes, effects, symptoms and prevention of malnutrition in childhood would be invaluable; teachers should also be provided with relevant text books that can enhance their knowledge on nutrition issues.

DOI 10.11648/j.ejpm.20160401.13
Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2016)
Page(s) 13-19
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Risk Factors, Effects and Prevention of Childhood Malnutrition, Nutrition Resources

References
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[17] Food and Agricultural Organisation. Knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practices: a study on nutrition (children under five years and pregnant and lactating women) in the project ‘‘Improving household food security and nutrition in Luapula Valley, Zambia’’, Project 2002; GCP/ZAM/052/BEL.
[18] Sezenler A. and Caglar M. What is the role of education technologies in increasing information levels on nutrition among primary school teachers? TOJET 2007; 6(4): 91-95.
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Author Information
  • Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

  • Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

  • School of Land and Food, Tasmania Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

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    Mary Damilola Adu, Ikeoluwapo Oyeneye Ajayi, Kayode Titus Adu. (2016). Knowledge of Teachers in Regards to Childhood Malnutrition and Reported Nutrition Information Resources. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 4(1), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20160401.13

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    Mary Damilola Adu; Ikeoluwapo Oyeneye Ajayi; Kayode Titus Adu. Knowledge of Teachers in Regards to Childhood Malnutrition and Reported Nutrition Information Resources. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2016, 4(1), 13-19. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20160401.13

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    AMA Style

    Mary Damilola Adu, Ikeoluwapo Oyeneye Ajayi, Kayode Titus Adu. Knowledge of Teachers in Regards to Childhood Malnutrition and Reported Nutrition Information Resources. Eur J Prev Med. 2016;4(1):13-19. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20160401.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20160401.13,
      author = {Mary Damilola Adu and Ikeoluwapo Oyeneye Ajayi and Kayode Titus Adu},
      title = {Knowledge of Teachers in Regards to Childhood Malnutrition and Reported Nutrition Information Resources},
      journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
      volume = {4},
      number = {1},
      pages = {13-19},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20160401.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20160401.13},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20160401.13},
      abstract = {It is important to examine teacher’s knowledge on malnutrition since they are at the vanguard of the implementation of the school based malnutrition prevention programs and therefore has the vital role to influence nutrition information and behaviour in children. It is only teachers with accurate and substantial information that can orientate the children rightly. This study set out to assess the knowledge levels of teachers on malnutrition in childhood and to explore resources used for information on nutrition. This cross sectional study was conducted among 387 male and female teachers who agreed to participate from 26 public and 13 private primary schools in 3 semi-urban communities in Ido Local Government, Ibadan, Nigeria. A structured and pretested questionnaire was self- administered and collected immediately. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 16 statistical software. The Mean knowledge score was 49.9; 214(55.3%), 145(37.5%), 28(7.2%) teachers had good, fair and poor levels of knowledge respectively. Handbook (80.4%), television (70.5%) and radio (62.5%) were the major resources reported for use on nutrition information. Based on the findings of this study, percentage of teacher’s with adequate knowledge on childhood malnutrition is not sufficient. In-service training focusing on the causes, effects, symptoms and prevention of malnutrition in childhood would be invaluable; teachers should also be provided with relevant text books that can enhance their knowledge on nutrition issues.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Knowledge of Teachers in Regards to Childhood Malnutrition and Reported Nutrition Information Resources
    AU  - Mary Damilola Adu
    AU  - Ikeoluwapo Oyeneye Ajayi
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    JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
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    AB  - It is important to examine teacher’s knowledge on malnutrition since they are at the vanguard of the implementation of the school based malnutrition prevention programs and therefore has the vital role to influence nutrition information and behaviour in children. It is only teachers with accurate and substantial information that can orientate the children rightly. This study set out to assess the knowledge levels of teachers on malnutrition in childhood and to explore resources used for information on nutrition. This cross sectional study was conducted among 387 male and female teachers who agreed to participate from 26 public and 13 private primary schools in 3 semi-urban communities in Ido Local Government, Ibadan, Nigeria. A structured and pretested questionnaire was self- administered and collected immediately. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 16 statistical software. The Mean knowledge score was 49.9; 214(55.3%), 145(37.5%), 28(7.2%) teachers had good, fair and poor levels of knowledge respectively. Handbook (80.4%), television (70.5%) and radio (62.5%) were the major resources reported for use on nutrition information. Based on the findings of this study, percentage of teacher’s with adequate knowledge on childhood malnutrition is not sufficient. In-service training focusing on the causes, effects, symptoms and prevention of malnutrition in childhood would be invaluable; teachers should also be provided with relevant text books that can enhance their knowledge on nutrition issues.
    VL  - 4
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