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HEALTH STATUS OF NOMADIC AND SEDENTARIZED FULANI CHILDREN IN DARAZO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAUCHI STATE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Abstract
Background: Health status is a general term referring to all aspects of the health of individuals or populations and it specifies some tangible components; a feeling of well-being, freedom from the risk of disease and premature death which requires a safe environment, enhanced immunity, good nutrition and prudent health care. Research has demonstrated that rural populations are often at a disadvantage of receiving health services. These problems may be compounded when the population is nomadic, hence the objective of this study to assess and compare the health status of nomadic and sedentarized Fulani children in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Method: This was a community based comparative cross-sectional study where 250 mother/caregiver-child pairs in each sedentarized and nomadic household were selected using multistage sampling technique.
A semi- structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from the parents as well as assessment of the sampled children. Data generated were processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Anthropometric measurements were analyzed using the WHO Anthro software version 7.0. Results were presented using percentages, means, charts, bivariate and logistics regression to identify the predictors of health status. A 95% confidence level with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: Sedentarized mothers had better literacy level, whereas more nomadic women engage in trading (selling of cows’ milk). Carbohydrate was main diet, with nomadic children consuming less fish/meat compared to their sedentarized counterparts (62.2% v 36.2%). Nomadic children were 2-3 times more malnourished with stunting (12.0% v 34.0%), underweight (8.4% v 19.2%) and wasting (8.0% v 11.2%). Females were more affected than males in both populations.
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Predictive factors for stunting was non-attendance at Child Welfare Clinic (CWC) for Growth Monitoring and Promotion (P=0.001) and for underweight were children older than 2 years and if female (OR=1.831; 95% CI=1.041-3.220; P=0.036). Sedentarized children had better immunization coverage with good access to BCG (43.2% v 26.0%) and utilization rate of DPT-3 of (34.0% v 29.2%) (OR=2.178; 95% CI=1.199-3.957; P=0.011) with a high rate of up to 64.0% of nomadic children not completing immunization schedule at all. Predictive factors for full immunization rates after logistics regression were; attendance of CWC (OR=8.292; 95% CI=4.236-16.233; p=0.001), hospital delivery and those residing close to HFs (P=0.001) as well as mothers with formal education than Qur’anic or nil literacy levels. Conjunctivitis was seen in 75.3%, followed by ARTI in 63.5% sedentarized. Majority, 81.4% of sedentarized Fulani lived within 30 minutes’ walk (5kms) to the nearest place of treatment with better utilization rates (χ2=19.499; df=2; P=0.001). More nomadic Fulani patronized medicine vendors compared to the sedentarized Fulanis as treatment points for recent illness. However, there were 21.6% nomads compared to 13.2% sedentarized who did not seek care at all. Sedentarized had better sanitary conditions and potable water than nomadic populations.
Conclusion: This study showed sedentarized Fulani children had better nutritional and immunization compared to nomadic children. It has also demonstrated that maternal education, availability and proximity to health facilities, and social amenities influenced health status. These can be improved by availing food groups with high protein content that will reduce stunting and wasting especially among nomadic children, health educating them to access PHC services for ailment, and better utilization for immunization services. Appropriate policies to strengthen the health system and its implementation will better the lives of the pastoralists.
