SC Impact Story: Improving maternal and child nutrition in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Jigawa State, in the Northern region of Nigeria, has high poverty rates and lacks full-scale health services, contributing to severe levels of malnutrition. As a result, the rate of stunting in children in Jigawa (68% for children under 5) is significantly higher than the national average of 37%. [1] Stunting is defined as low height-for-age. It is the result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition, usually associated with poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness and/or inappropriate feeding and care in early life. Stunting prevents children from reaching their physical and cognitive potential.[2] Farming is the main source of income for many families in Jigawa, meaning communities are vulnerable to economic shocks. Just one period of drought or flooding could send the families into debt and make it harder to buy food.