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Prevalence and risk factors for stunting among children under 5 years: a community based study from Jhangara town,

Syed Farid-ul-Hasnain1, Raafay Sophie

  • 1Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|January 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

High stunting rates (61%) were found in children under five in Jhangara Town, Sindh. Key risk factors identified include ethnicity and short birth intervals, necessitating targeted interventions for child health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood stunting remains a significant public health concern in rural Sindh, Pakistan.
  • Previous data from the Pakistan Demographic Health Survey (PDHS) 1990/91 indicated lower prevalence rates.
  • Understanding current local prevalence and risk factors is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age in Jhangara Town, Dadu, Sindh.
  • To identify associated risk factors contributing to stunting in this specific population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jhangara Town, Dadu district, rural Sindh.
  • Data was collected from 800 children under five years of age.
  • Information was gathered using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of stunting was 61%, exceeding previously reported national figures.
  • Multivariate analysis identified ethnicity (OR = 2.1) and birth intervals less than two years (OR = 1.5) as significant risk factors.
  • These findings highlight specific demographic and behavioral factors associated with stunting.

Conclusions:

  • A substantial proportion of children under five in Jhangara Town are stunted.
  • Ethnicity and short birth intervals are identified as critical risk factors requiring attention.
  • Intervention strategies should consider these factors to improve child growth and development outcomes.
Abstract

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