Aim: Malnutrition in the form of under-nutrition is still a major public health problem in developing
countries of sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. This study compares the nutritional status of
under-five children and their mothers in rural and urban areas of Anambra State Nigeria.
Methodology: This was a comparative cross-sectional study carried out in one urban and two
rural local government areas of Anambra State, Nigeria namely Awka South, Dunukofia and
Anaocha respectively. A total of 657 mother-child pairs were selected from eligible households
using the multistage sampling technique. Data on household food security was obtained from the
mothers using semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaires while anthropometric
measurements were carried out on the children and their mothers using weighing scales and
height boards.
Results: The overall prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among the under-five
children in this study were 15.1%, 18.1% and 10.4% respectively, and the proportions were higher
in the rural area than in the urban. The prevalence of stunting (height < 152 cm) in the mothers
was 7.9% in the rural area compared to 9.1% in the urban area. Majority of the women were
overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0), more in the urban (69.3%) than in the rural (59.2%).
Conclusion: This study confirmed that under-five under-nutrition remains a serious public health
problem in Anambra State, Nigeria. In order to reduce child morbidity and mortality to which
malnutrition contributes significantly, concerted effort must be made by the government to improve
child and maternal nutritional status by directing attention to improving household food security
through developing and implementing policies that improve the livelihoods of the population.