Abstract:
Malnutrition rates of over 38% among children of age below 5 years have been
addressed by interventions like growth promotion and monitoring. The study sought
to further address poor nutritional status among children of age below 2 years by
supplementing their diet with Roselle juice. Roselle calyx from which the juice was
made contains high concentrations of vitamin C, iron and zinc which are highly
deficient in diets of children in Magubike village. A randomised single blind design
with one time dietary assessment was used in this study. Household characteristics,
appetite and morbidity data of children were obtained. Anthropometric (weight and
height) and biochemical indicators were determined. Children were supplemented
with Roselle and placebo juice and followed up for four months. Results revealed
that there was low energy, fat, zinc, vitamin C and high fibre content in the common
complementary foods given to children. Consumption of Roselle juice significantly
increased (p<0.05) vitamin C intake from 28 to 60% of RDA. The prevalence of
underweight, a composite indicator of stunting and wasting was 9% among the
children. Haemoglobin concentration increased (p<0.05) by 1 g dl -1 among children
in the intervention group. The morbidity rate among children in the intervention
group significantly decreased by 27% (P<0.05) from 81% to 54% after four months
of supplementation. The concentration of vitamin C in urine for the children in the
placebo and intervention group increased by 0.008 and 0.015 mg kg -1 respectively
after four months of supplementation. The proportion of children in the intervention
group with urine zinc concentration outside normal range increased by 4% compared
to 14% in placebo group after 4 months of supplementation. Promoting consumption
of Roselle juice is important in areas with high prevalence of anaemia.
