Malnutrition & Associated Risk Factors among Under Five Children

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries. In India, child malnutrition rate is one of the most serious public health problem and highest in the world. The main aim of this study is to find the differentials of under?five malnutrition in rural Rajasthan, India. Another spotlight of this study is to examine the impact of demographic, health and socio?economic factors on malnutrition. Moreover on through review on literature it was found that the present study will be first of its kind in Rajasthan and this arouses the need for the present study. Objective: To assess prevalence of malnutrition and to explore the associated risk factors. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted on 496 children aged 6?59 months at Jhalawar district. Multistage sampling method was used to select the study subjects. For categorical variables, logistic regression approach using a probit model in STATA V.12.0 was used and the outcomes were compared using odd’s ratio (O.R) correlation coefficient among stunning, wasting and underweight was carried out using statistical software R, V.3.1.0. Results: The study revealed that, 54%, 84% and 63% of children were stunted, underweight and wasted. The prominent factors having significant effect on stunting, wasting and underweight were birth weight, exclusive breast feeding (EBF) & family income. Significant correlation effect was observed between wasting, underweight and stunting. Conclusion: Malnutrition is still an important problem among children aged 6?59 months. Therefore, especial attention should be given on intervention of malnutrition