Shahbaz Bashir*, Baber Khan, Arslan Khalid, Hafiza Iqra Faryad, Hafiza Arooj Fatima and Wara Saeed
Background: Malnutrition is a serious child health issue throughout the developing world. Pakistan has the second highest infant and child mortality rate in South Asia. This study was carried out to assess the factors of malnutrition under 5 years of age children and to determine the frequency and association of malnutrition with various demographic variables in the study group.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at the PAEDS ward and OPD of the DHQ hospital Sahiwal during July-August 2017. Malnourished children of under 5 years of age without confirmed diagnosis of any disease/ailment were included. Guardians of 41 children were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Demographic variables include age, gender, family size, family income, breastfeeding, maternal education and presence of siblings under 5 years in family. Weight (kg) was measured and malnutrition was assessed by weight for age.
Results: Our study indicated malnutrition to be significantly associated with child age, use of formula milk, occurrence of diarrhea, mother illiteracy and lack of access to filtered water. No significant association was found between malnutrition and gender, family size, family income, breast feeding and presence of siblings under 5 years of age.
Conclusion: There is a need to plan composite interventions to elucidate the factors that place children at greater risk for malnutrition.
Published Date: 2024-07-19; Received Date: 2019-08-23
