Abstract:
The study sought to explore how socio-cultural factors influence malnutrition
among children under-five in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Specifically, the study
sought to: describe social factors influencing malnutrition among children
under-five years old in the Cape Coast Metropolis, discuss cultural beliefs
influencing malnutrition among children less than five years old in the Cape
Coast Metropolis and analyse feeding practices influencing malnutrition among
children under-five years in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The study employed a
qualitative approach. Guided by the Ecosystem model of nutrition, 18 mothers
were purposively selected and interviewed. The results were presented with text
and quotations. The results showed that the social factors affecting malutrition
among children under-five are low edcucational level, non-supporting spouses,
occupation and large family size. The cultural factors influencing malnutrition
among children under-five include food taboos and poor feeding practices. It is
therefore recommended that there should be intensification of child health
education by community health nurses on the causes of malnutrition among
children under-five and the Cape Coast Metropolitan Health Directorate should
intensify public education on the need to send children to health facilities but
not prayer camps when they are malnourished.
