The Incidence of Marasmic-kwashiorkor among Children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, Rivers State University of Education, P. M. B. 5047. Port Harcourt, Nigeria. University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria This study deals with the incidence of Marasmic-kwashiorkor among children in Port Harcourt from the period 1994-1997. The study was undertaken at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), it comprised all the available data collected on the incidence of this disease from 1994-1997. Four research questions guided the study. Data collected was analyzed using frequency distribution tables, and simple percentages for the research questions. The results showed that Marasmic-kwashiorkor was significantly high among other classes of protein –energy malnutrition as well as other diseases of children in Port Harcourt. This disease also had a negative effect on the academic ability of its victims. Recommendations were made based on findings of the study.