IMPACT OF READY-TO-USE THERAPEUTIC FOOD ON MANAGEMENT OF UNDER-FIVE WITH SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN NINGI LGA BAUCH STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) on management of under-five children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) attending primary healthcare facilities in Ningi LGA, Bauchi State. Two research objectives and two research hypotheses guided the study. Quasi-experimental of one group of pretest-posttest design was adopted for this study. The population of the study comprised of 72,678 under-five children in Ningi Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi State. The sample size for this study was 25 participants sampled using multi-stage sampling technique. Anthropometric Measurements of pretest-posttest was used for data collection. Paired sample t-test was used to test hypothesis formulated, at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the use of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has significant impact on the weight gain of under-five children with severe acute malnutrition attending primary healthcare facilities in Ningi LGA, Bauchi State (t= -92.750, df=24; p=.000); and the use of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has significant impact on the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of under-five children with severe acute malnutrition attending primary healthcare facilities in Ningi LGA, Bauchi State (t= -92.750, df=24; p=.000). Based on these findings, the study concludes that the use of RUTF has been found to significantly improve both weight gain and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference among under-five children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Ningi LGA, Bauchi State. It is therefore, recommended that Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency and other relevant stakeholders ensure continuous supply and accessibility of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in all primary healthcare facilities within Ningi LGA to sustain and enhance weight recovery among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition.