Health Status of Female Farmers and Farmers' Children: Empirical Evidences from Gombe State of Nigeria

摘要

This paper examined the health status of farmers and farmers' children in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State. The study demonstrates high morbidity and micro-nutrient deficiency in the-study area. Only 40% of pregnant women farmers were immunized against tetanus. Mother's did not strictly observe children's immunization calendar. Age, education and income of farmers were found to influence health-seeking behaviors of mothers. Constraints to effective and efficient health care practices include inadequate access to education, income and credit as well as extension services. Also, other constraints identified by farmers were heavy workload, time, labour, energy, poor family and community support. Since there is a general high morbidity and poor health status as a result of micro-nutrients deficiency and malnutrition, it is recommended that improving the level of mother's education which is the most important influence on her survival rate and that of her children, family and nation at large should be vigorously pursued particularly in the study area, state and the nation at large.