Factors associated with the nutritional status of children (6-30 months old) in home-based and centre-based child care centres in Embakasi East, Nairobi, Kenya

Early childhood nutrition is critical for healthy growth, yet this study found that limited caregiver knowledge, poor feeding practices, and inadequate hygiene contribute to malnutrition among children aged 6–30 months in an informal settlement in Nairobi. Using a cross-sectional mixed-methods design across 26 childcare centres, the study showed that although most caregivers and parents had secondary education, children’s diets were dominated by carbohydrate-rich foods with low intake of animal protein, and many children were fed less frequently than WHO recommendations. Malnutrition rates were high—stunting (39.4%), wasting (11.4%), and underweight (23.4%)—but notably lower in centres practicing good handwashing and hygiene. Overall, the findings highlight poor dietary diversity, suboptimal feeding, and inadequate hygiene in both home- and centre-based childcare, underscoring the need to strengthen nutrition and hygiene practices to improve child health outcomes.

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