Prevalence and Associated Factors of Malnutrition in Under Five Children in a Rural Mountainous Area of Nepal: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Nutrition is believed to be very essential for socio economic development of the country and is an essential component of sustainable development goals. Malnutrition is a major public health problem in Nepal and is more common among under-five year children. Malnutrition among children is complex problem globally, affecting the physical, mental and social development.
 Objective To estimate the prevalence and explore the associated factors of malnutrition in study population.
 Method It was a community based cross-sectional study conducted among rural population of Nepal. Wards were selected by simple random sampling technique and household in each ward were selected by systemic random sampling. The mothers of 302 participants aged 12 to 59 months were interviewed for requisite information using pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken using standard technique for each participant. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 was used for data analysis.
 Result The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 36.8%, 37.5%, and 14.6% respectively. We found statistical significant association between underweight and children in lower age group, larger family size, lower level of mother’s education and illness in past one month. Factors that are significantly associated with stunting are children in lower age group, lower level of mother’s education and illness in past one month and wasting is significantly associated with children in lower age group.
 Conclusion This study showed the prevalence of malnutrition is high in study population. Factors associated with malnutrition were child’s age, family size, mother’s education and illness in past one month.

Prevalence and determinants of stunting among children under 5 years in remote Nepal

“…This finding is in line with research conducted in Bangladesh where children from 12 to 59 months were more likely to be stunted 34 . In contrast, children of lower age groups from 36 to 47 months were associated with stunting in a mountainous area of Nepal 24 . Along with it, several other studies 35,36 conducted in LMICs indicated that the prevalence of stunting increases with the child's age.…”

“…Evidence of the magnitude of stunting and its associated factors can be a significant prerequisite to developing appropriate strategies for nutritional intervention concerning childhood stunting. There are studies on stunting among children under 5 years of age that have been conducted in eastern Nepal 23 and some mountainous regions 24 . However, we could not find studies that were conducted in the Far West or Sudurpaschim region of Nepal.…”

“…There are studies on stunting among children under 5 years of age that have been conducted in eastern Nepal 23 and some mountainous regions. 24 However, we could not find studies that were conducted in the Far West or Sudurpaschim region of Nepal. Despite several studies being conducted to assess the prevalence of stunting at national and regional levels, evidence from Karnali and the western provinces of Nepal is scant.…”

“…34 In contrast, children of lower age groups from 36 to 47 months were associated with stunting in a mountainous area of Nepal. 24 Along with it, several other studies 35,36 conducted in LMICs indicated that the prevalence of stunting increases with the child's age. This might be due to the effect of breastfeeding transition where most children are breastfed until 24 months, which gradually decreases with the child's age combined with poor or limited complementary feeding and dietary diversity.…”

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Malnutrition in Under Five Children in Eastern Nepal: A Hospital Based Study

“…6,7 The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 36.8%, 37.5%, and 14.6% respectively, according to a study in a rural mountainous area of Nepal among which 5.8% were severely malnourished. 8,9 Although the nutritional status of children in Nepal has improved significantly over the past 15 years, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal targets on stunting and wasting is not advancing at the speed, scale or equity required. Poor maternal nutrition, suboptimal feeding practices along with socio-economic, cultural, and geographic inequalities in access to resources and services are hindering the progress of child nutrition.…”