Health and Nutrition Profile of Children with Disabilities Attending Special School in Lafia, Nasarawa State: A Cross-Sectional Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Children With Disabilities (CWDs) on a global scale face a dual picture of malnutrition. In some locations, high rates of underweight and stunting are present while in others, overweight or obesity compared to their peers. Objectives of the study was to identify the prevalence of malnutrition among CWDs in Special School Lafia, North Central Nigeria and to assess the nutritional status of CWDs using parameters of anthropometry (Body height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)), hematology (Packed Cell Volume (PCV)) and fecal sample examination. Based on the type of disability, ‘Hearing Impairment’ was the most common at 66.5%, ‘Learning Impairment’ at 20.0%, ‘Visual Impairment’ (8.1%) and others (5.4%). The median body mass index (BMI) was 16.59 kg/m2 (IQR = 02.78), highlighting a general low body mass for age in the student population. Prevalence of anemia among the CWDs was 23.1% and helminthic infection 69.6%. Commonest helminthic infection was Ascaris Lumbricoides (80.9%) with Trichuris Trichura at 1.8%. Parasitic infection was significantly associated with type of disability (Fisher’s Exact = 16.83, p < 0.001), with higher prevalence among pupils with learning impairment and those enrolled in early intervention program. There was a statistically significant association between age and anemia status (χ² = 12.92, p = 0.001), with anemia being more prevalent among younger pupils (5–9 years). Apart from introducing public health strategies to prevent malnutrition among CWDs in schools and in communities, future research should develop AI -augmented tools for easy identification and diagnosis of malnutrition. Keywords: children with disability, malnutrition, stunting, anemia, helminthic
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7141662901