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Consanguinity among the risk factors for underweight in children under five: a study from rural Sindh

S F Hasnain1, S K Hashmi

  • 1Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. farid.hasnain@aku.edu

Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC
|October 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Malnutrition affects over half of children under five in rural Sindh, Pakistan. Key factors include consanguinity, low birth weight, and lack of breastfeeding, necessitating targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Malnutrition is a critical issue in developing nations, contributing to approximately 54% of child mortality.
  • This study focuses on underweight prevalence and its determinants in rural Sindh, Pakistan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of underweight among children under five in rural Sindh.
  • To identify factors associated with underweight in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jhangara Town, District Dadu, Sindh.
  • Data was collected from 800 children under five using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of underweight was 54.3%, exceeding previous reports.
  • Associated factors included consanguinity (OR=1.5), low birth weight (OR=1.6), and not breastfeeding (OR=2.7).

Conclusions:

  • Strategies to reduce consanguineous marriages are needed.
  • Promoting breastfeeding is crucial for controlling childhood malnutrition and mortality.
Abstract

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