African Journal of Risk Management (Business focus) | 21 March 2012
Nutrition Programmes and Academic Outcomes in Nairobi Slums: A Comparative Analysis
J, a, m, e, s, N, j, a, g, i, O, k, o, t, h
Abstract
School-based nutrition programmes have been implemented in Nairobi slums to address malnutrition among children, which is a critical public health issue. A comparative analysis will be conducted using data from three randomly selected Nairobi slums. The study will use standardised assessments for nutrition status and academic performance. Nutrition programme participants showed a significant improvement in both reading comprehension (mean score increased by 15%) and mathematics scores (mean score increased by 20%) compared to non-participants. The results suggest that school-based nutrition programmes have a positive impact on academic performance, particularly for girls from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Policy makers should consider scaling up these successful interventions in other Nairobi slums and potentially across the country. Nairobi Slums, School Nutrition Programmes, Academic Outcomes, Malnutrition, Gender Disparities