Prevalence and Predictors of Underweight, Stunting and Wasting in Under-Five Children

Abstract

Background:�MalnutritionisamajorunderlyingcauseofthechildmorbidityandmortalityinNepal.�Inthepast� tenyearstherehasn'tbeenanysignificantprogressinthenutritionalstatusoftheunder-fivesinNepal.�Insuch� situationthisstudydeterminestheprevalenceofundernutritionandthefactorsassociatedwithitwhichhelpsdistrict� healthmanagersmonitorundernutritionandidentifydifferentassociatedfactorsessentialinordertobetterdesign� andimplementthenutritionalinterventions. Methods:�Across-sectionalcomparativestudywasconductedinBelaharaVDCamong�150�underfivechildrenin� 2008.�Primarycaretakerswereinterviewedfordifferentsocio-demographicandmaternal�&�childhealthrelated� factors.�Throughanthropometry,�prevalenceofunderweight,�stuntingandwastingwasdetermined.�Logistic� regressionstatisticaltoolwasusedtoanalyzetheinfluenceofdifferentpredictors. Results:�Prevalenceofunderweight,�stuntingandwastingwas�27%,�37%�and�11%�respectively.�Inthefinalmodel� oflogisticregressionstatisticaltool,�malesexwasfoundprotectiveforstunting.�Comparatively,�theriskofbeing� underweightinthechildrenfromthepoorsocioeconomicstatusisalmostfourtimesasmuchasinthechildrenfrom� therichsocioeconomicstatus�(OR=�4.336�(1.719�<OR<10.936)).�Childrenfromjointfamilywerefoundprotective� againststuntingthanchildreninthenuclearfamily.�Othercovariatessuchasageatpregnancyandethnicityofthe� childwerefoundtobesignificantlyassociatedonlyat�10%�levelofsignificance.� Conclusion:�AcuteundernutritionwasfoundmoreintheVDCasofnationalfigure.�Emphasisshouldbeplaced� onthegirlchildrenandthedisadvantagedethnicgroupsfornutritionalinterventions.�Theseinterventionsshould� becoordinatedwithincomegenerationandfoodproductionactivitiesforsustainabilityofnutritionalinterventions.� Maternalageatpregnancy,�asfounddeterminingthenutritionalstatusofchildren,�shouldbeincludedasapartof� nutritioncounselingduringANCvisits. ABSTRACT