Feeding Challenges of Children with Disabilities in Special Needs Education Centres in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Main Article Content
Abstract
The study assessed the nutritional challenges of children with disability in special needs education centres in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. The study adopted a Research and Development (R&D) design with an experimental laboratory approach. The research was carried out in two selected centres in Port-Harcourt, involving 30 participants drawn from a total population of 101. Data were collected through direct observation of meals, laboratory analysis of food samples, review of health records, and interviews with caregivers/teachers and health staff. The study developed three nutrient-rich meals using local ingredients and tested for nutrient content. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The results of the study showed that carbohydrate-based meals and mixed dishes were the most frequently served foods across all disability categories, while fruits and vegetables were the least served. Laboratory analysis revealed that commonly served meals such as pap and custard were low in protein and micronutrients, whereas yam with egg sauce and beans porridge had higher nutritional value. Nutrition-related diseases such as iron-deficiency anaemia (36.7%), protein-energy malnutrition (28.3%), and rickets (21.7%) were prevalent. Feeding challenges included difficulty chewing (M = 3.40) and swallowing (M = 3.35), with limited caregiver training and lack of specialized tools noted. Nutrient-rich foods were developed to address deficiencies, with vegetable-fish porridge providing the highest protein (10.2g) and iron (5.8mg), and mashed sweet potato and egg purée offering the highest vitamin A (480μg). ANOVA results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in types of foods, nutrient composition, disease prevalence, and feeding challenges across disability types and centres, supporting the need for targeted dietary interventions. It was recommended that the newly developed nutrient-rich foods should be incorporated into school menus. The local ingredients used can make the meals cost-effective and culturally acceptable while improving the children’s health outcomes.
Article Details
References
Adams, M. S., Khan, N. Z., Begum, S. A., Wirz, S. L., Hesketh, T., & Pring, T. R. (2022). Feeding difficulties in children with cerebral palsy: Low-cost caregiver training in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Child Care Health Dev, 38, 878–888.
Adeniyi, A. F., & Umeh, C. S. (2017). Feeding difficulties and nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy in a Nigerian population. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 28(3), 74–87. https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v28i3.587
Ajayi, A. O., & Aluko, O. O. (2019). Nutritional care practices among caregivers of children with special needs in selected schools in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Nutritional Sciences, 40(1), 65–72.
Akinola, M. T., & Olayiwola, A. O. (2018). Prevalence and factors associated with cerebral palsy among children in Southwestern Nigeria. African Journal of Neurological Sciences, 40(1), 23–31.
FAO. (2018). Home-grown school feeding: A framework to link school feeding with local agricultural production. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/3/CA0957EN/ca0957en.pdf
Groce, N., Challenger, E., Berman-Bieler, R., Farkas, A., Yilmaz, N., Schultink, W., Clark, D., Kaplan, C., & Kerac, M. (2020). Malnutrition and disability: Unexplored opportunities for collaboration. Pediatric International Child Health, 34(4), 308–314. (Note: This is the same authors as Groce et al. (2021), but ensure correct year is cited as per your thesis text for consistency.)
Groce, N., Challenger, E., Berman-Bieler, R., Farkas, A., Yilmaz, N., Schultink, W., Clark, D., Kaplan, C., & Kerac, M. (2021). Malnutrition and disability: Unexplored opportunities for collaboration. Pediatric International Child Health, 34(4), 308–314.
Iroegbu, N., Okorie, P. N., & Ekpo, I. A. (2020). Nutritional assessment and feeding practices of children with special needs in inclusive education settings. International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 9(2), 67–74.
Lumos. (2023). Lumos’ pioneering training projects. Accessed July 22, 2019. http://wearelumos.org/stories/lumos-pioneering-training-programmes
Maulik, P. K., & Darmstadt, G. L. (2020). Childhood disability in low- and middle-income countries: Overview of screening, prevention, services, legislation, and epidemiology. Pediatrics, 120(Suppl. 1), 51–55.
Mela, D. J. (2021). Determinants of food choice: Relationships with obesity and weight control. Obesity Resources, 6(Supplementary), 249-255.
Ogundipe, F. O., & Adebayo, O. T. (2021). Development and evaluation of nutrient-dense complementary food from locally available ingredients. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 21(3), 17734–17751. https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.98.19355
Okeke, E. C., & Onyema, J. O. (2015). Comparison of meal planning practices and nutritional adequacy in government and private special schools in Anambra State. Nigerian Journal of Home Economics, 6(1), 92–101.
Olusanya, B. O. (2020). Is undernutrition a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss in early infancy? British Journal of Nutrition, 103, 1296–1301.
Omuemu, V. O., Egbagbe, E. E., & Ofili, A. N. (2016). Nutritional status of children attending special schools in Benin City, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 19(2), 186–190. https://doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.175965
Onabanjo, O. O., & Ighere, D. A. (2020). Assessment of nutrient intake and dietary practices of children with disabilities in selected schools in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences, 7(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.15744/2393-9060.7.102
Tuzun, E. H., Guven, D. K., Eker, L., Elbasan, B., & Bulbul, S. F. (2023). Nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy in Turkey. Disability Rehabilitation, 35, 413–417
Ukaegbu, A. O., Umeogu, G. O., & Okoye, M. O. (2019). Malnutrition and health challenges in children with special needs: The role of nutrition education. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 8(3), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20190803.11
Wanjohi, M. N., Kimiywe, J., & Waudo, J. (2017). Feeding practices and nutritional status of children with developmental disabilities in Nairobi, Kenya. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 17(3), 12464–12481. https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.79.16010
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Disabilities. Accessed July 28, 2019. https://www.WHO_disabilities.org
WHO. (2020). Nutritional care and support for children with disabilities. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240010769