Effect of socioeconomic factors on malnutrition among children in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: In the current era, malnutrition among children considers main reason of morbidity and mortality in the world scenario while more specifically in developing countries. Malnutrition in children severely affects their physical growth and academic achievements. This study aimed to find out the effect of socioeconomic factors on malnutrition, children aged under 5 years in Multan district of Punjab province, Pakistan. The study used the data of 2497 children, obtained from Multiple Integrated Cluster Survey 2018 and employed Binary logistic regression approach for empirical estimation the effects of socioeconomic factors on malnutrition among children. Results: Empirical estimates of the study specified the prevalence of higher frequency of stunting (18.58), wasting (28.43) and underweight (19.54) among children particularly in rural areas of the study district Multan. Stunting status was significantly associated with children of some month (OR = 1.247, CI 95% 0.543-1.546), family size (OR = 0.589, CI 95% 0.431-3.715), maternal education (OR = 1.432, CI 95% 0.528-1.972), wealth quintile (OR = 2.174, CI 95% 1.234-3.376) and sanitation facility (OR = 0.789, CI 95% 0.627-1.987). Wasting status was mostly correlated with male children (OR = 1.208, CI 95% 0.769-1.352), children of urban areas (OR = 0.594, CI 95% 0.476-1.987) and food shortage (OR = 1.367, CI 95% 0.782-2.543). Underweight status was close relationship with male gender (OR = 1.213, CI 95% 0.821-2.897), incomplete immunization (OR = 1.342, CI 95% 1.041-2.658) and treated water access (OR = 0.689, CI 95% 0.542-2.743). Conclusion: In this study, prevalence of higher-level malnutrition was estimated due to lower socioeconomic status among major population in the community specifically in rural areas. The government needs to enhance economic opportunities, promote healthcare education, increase nutritional access and generate improving personal hygiene habits through appropriate economic, political and social policy measures. The outcome of these policies will enhance individual economic resources; ensure nutritional safety, increasing maternal schooling and helpful for improving child health.

Prevalence and Determinants of Nutritional Status Among Women and Children in Pakistan

“…Deviating from this study nding, a study conducted in six Asian countries, including Pakistan, noted a higher risk of wasting among rural children [36]. Why the wasting is lower among rural children in Pakistan should be explored in future studies as several previous studies have noted an otherwise nding in Pakistan [37]. Wasting, being an acute form of malnutrition, could partially explain the higher odds of wasting among urban children in this study.…”

Prevalence, Trends, and Socioeconomic Determinants of Coexisting Forms of Malnutrition Amongst Children under Five Years of Age in Pakistan

“…The 2017-2018 PDHS reported a significant improvement in socioeconomic indicators, including improvements in maternal education, clean toilet facilities, constructed housing infrastructure, and urban influx compared to the former PDHS of 2012-2013. A regional-based study conducted in Pakistan also showed a strong association between socio-economic development and better health and nutritional outcomes [23].…”

“…This study found that maternal employment is protective against various forms of malnutrition. Previous studies conducted have shown a protective effect of maternal education and maternal employment, and a negative effect of large family sizes [23,75,77]. An improvement in maternal education boosts maternal knowledge regarding feeding practices, disease management, and care-seeking behaviour.…”

“…In general, various behaviors and practices, such as dietary intake, care-seeking practices, and disease management, are related to socioeconomic status [22]. Different studies have also supported a strong relationship between socioeconomic status with pediatric nutritional status [23,24]. Still, the prevalence, trends, and determinants of various types of CFM are either scarce or not known.…”

A Review Study of the Role of Socioeconomic Status and its Components in Children’s Health

“…[23,24] Food insecurity refers to a lack of access to food and encompasses perceptual aspects such as insufficient quantity and quality of food and its social unacceptability. [25,26] It is a consistent experience that starts with worrying about food at the household level and progresses to the onset of hunger in children. In other words, one-fifth of low-income households have energy deficiency and half of the population has micronutrient deficiency.…”