TRACKING DOWN THE MENACE OF ACUTE MALNUTRITION THROUGH HOME

ECONOMICS EDUCATION OF NIGERIAN RURAL WOMEN

Akpan, Chidinma A.

Department of Home Economics,

Federal College of Education, Katsina

Email: chidinmaaniefiokakpan@gamil.com

Abstract: Acute malnutrition is problem of hunger, food insecurity and poor environment. It is a major killer of children under five years and the greatest public health concern of the century, accounting for about one million deaths per year in sub- Saharan Africa. Nigeria is among the few countries of the world having the highest rates of acute malnutrition with some states having rates above the emergency levels. Acute malnutrition is found among the poor, usually associated with food insecurity, dietary deprivation, poor environmental condition and constant infections. Majority of the primary care-givers (women) living in rural communities are illiterate, unskilled, extremely poor and lack opportunity to develop themselves. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the scale of acute malnutrition in Nigeria and the factors which lead to its high prevalence. This paper posits that empowerment of Nigerian rural women through purposeful skill training will help to improve their income and reduce poverty. Their empowerment with parenting skills, nutrition knowledge and other health promoting skills which are important aspect of home economics education will result in better health of the children and a reduction in the rate of acute malnutrition in Nigeria. The paper recommended that home economics extension services be provided in all rural communities to help in skill training and empowerment of the rural women. Policies which enhance food production and distribution should be enacted, and interventions focusing on improving sanitation and water quality in Nigerian rural areas should be embarked upon by all levels of government. First ladies should make women and children the focus of their pet projects.