Assessing Barriers to Therapeutic Nutrition Interventions in Adolescents with Gastric Issues: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Lusaka District, Zambia

Abstract: This study aimed to assess barriers to therapeutic nutrition interventions for adolescents with gastric issues in four secondary schools in Lusaka District, Zambia. The study focused on determining the prevalence of gastric issues, assessing the knowledge of adolescents and teachers about nutritional management, and exploring barriers to interventions. The study adopted a descriptive research design, incorporating a mixed methods approach. A total of 64 participants were involved, with data collected via questionnaires and interviews. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed using software such as SPSS for statistical analysis whereas the qualitative collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The study results showed that gastric complaints were common among learners, with 70% reporting such issues in the past year. A significant relationship was found between the frequency of gastric issues and school absenteeism. While teachers had adequate knowledge of nutrition's role in managing gastric issues, many adolescents lacked sufficient knowledge about dietary practices. Barriers to intervention included limited resources, lack of knowledge, time constraints, lack of administrative support, and insufficient parental involvement. The study recommends launching awareness campaigns on nutritional management, integrating nutrition into the curriculum, improving resource access, and involving local health centers in providing support. Keywords: Adolescents, Gastric Issues, Nutritional Management, School Health programs and Therapeutic Interventions. Title: Assessing Barriers to Therapeutic Nutrition Interventions in Adolescents with Gastric Issues: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Lusaka District, Zambia Author: Brenda Chaima, Anna Phiri, Chanda Chansa Thelma International Journal of Novel Research in Education and Learning ISSN 2394-9686 Vol. 12, Issue 2, March 2025 - April 2025 Page No: 97-108 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 27-April-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15291118 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Assessing%20Barriers%20to%20Therapeutic%20Nutrition-27042025-1.pdf