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PUHE 251: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FOOD ANIMALS
(Chuka University, 2023-12-19) Chuka University
Infant and young child feeding practices associated with nutritional status among children attending child welfare clinic in Kericho County, Kenya
(IBOM MEDICAL JOURNAL, 2025-03-25) Daniel Kipngeno Cheruiyot*; David Kamau; Willy Kiboi Kahanya3
Background: Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the gold standard for infant feeding in the first six
months of life, providing essential nutrients and antibodies for optimal growth and development.
However, suboptimal breastfeeding practices and inadequate complementary feeding can contribute to
malnutrition. This study assessed complementary feeding practices associated with nutritional status in
breastfed children.
Materials and methods: The study population were children aged 6 to 59 months in Kericho County.
The study was designed as an institutional based cross-sectional survey of children seen in Kericho
County Referral Hospital and Kakaptet Sub- County Hospital. Simple random sampling was used to
select 172 study participants across these hospitals. Descriptive statistics, chi square and Fischer’s exact
tests were carried out. Additionally, both unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio were obtained using
multinomial regression analysis. Ethical standards were strictly adhered to throughout the study.
Results: Findings revealed that 75 (43.6%) children were aged between 24 and 59 months, 55 (32%)
were aged 9 to 23 months and 42 (24.4%) were aged 6 to 8 months. Approximately two-thirds of
caregivers had attained secondary education (n=77, 44.8%). Stunting was prevalent in 25% of the
children, while both wasting and underweight affected 23.8%. Approximately 39% of caregivers
introduced their children to complementary feeds before six months of age. Only 39.2% of children aged
6 to 23 months consumed five or more food groups for minimum dietary diversity (MDD). In the study,
95.9% of the children met the recommended minimum meal frequency (MMF), but only 39.2% had the
minimum acceptable diet (MAD).
Conclusion: Introduction of complementary food after 6 months reduced the likelihood of wasting and
stunting. Implementing targeted nutrition interventions for children aged 6 to 59 months in Kericho
County is imperative.
PUHE 371: BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
(Chuka University, 2023-12-19) Chuka University
PUHE 473: HUMAN POPULATION DYNAMICS AND HEALTH
(Chuka University, 2023-12-19) Chuka University
Banana Value Chain Factors and Marketing Channels: A Case Study of Meru, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi Counties in Kenya
(Asian Research Journal of Agriculture, 2025-02-24) Nyariki a, E; Koech a, J; K. Kiramana; D. K. Isutsa; G. O. Abucheli; J. Mwove; F. G. Irungu; J. D. Orwa; J. W. Njoki
Banana is a tropical crop grown in most developing countries, where it is commercialized by
smallholder farmers. Banana is a major source of income, improved food security and possess
great potential for value addition and export. Kenya is the largest producer of banana in East Africa, where it is a major source of food and income for smallholders. However, despite all these benefits,
little is reported about its value chain factors and marketing channels in Kenya. Apparently, there
are many restricting constraints in terms of banana supply and marketing management. Therefore,
this study mapped socio-economic factors in the banana value chain and identified marketing
channels in one banana-rich region, comprising Meru, Embu, and Tharaka-Nithi in Kenya. The
study employed a cross-sectional survey design and multi-stage sampling of 384 respondents,
comprising farmers, traders, and middlemen. A structured questionnaire was administered to
respondents to collect primary data, which was subjected to descriptive and econometric analyses.
The study found that majority of the farmers were small-scale, who used family labour (60%) and
had limited access to credit and extension services. Middlemen were the dominant actors in
marketing channels, compared to direct marketing. Farming experience and land allocated to
banana were significant predictors with P=.030 and .040, respectively in Tharaka-Nithi, and P=.030
and .014, respectively in Embu. In Meru, land allocated to banana, type of labour, farming
experience and education level were significant predictors with P=.012, .009, .059 and .080,
respectively. Most farmers did not have a specific buyer of their bananas and hence were prone to
exploitation by middlemen. Also few farmers got information on marketing channels. These findings
provide insights into challenges faced by small-scale banana farmers in the region and
recommends enactment of policies that support farmer access to credit, extension services, and
direct marketing channels. Sustained sensitization of farmers on value chain requirements should
instill the right marketing channel to adopt and consistently use.