Risk Factors of Malnutrition in Under-5 Children of Slum Area in Dhaka City
M A Hoque1, B M Annur, M A Sayeed
1Dr Md Aynal Hoque, Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh;
Insights
Malnutrition affects 44% of under-5 children in Dhaka slums. Key risk factors include improper feeding, maternal illiteracy, and poor housing, highlighting urgent public health needs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Malnutrition poses a significant public health challenge, increasing morbidity and mortality risks, particularly in urban slum settings.
- Dhaka's slums exhibit a very high prevalence of malnutrition among young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the critical risk factors contributing to malnutrition in children under five years of age within specific slum areas of Dhaka City.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 500 children under five, randomly selected from Agargaon and Beribadh slums in Dhaka.
- Data collection included anthropometric measurements (weight, height, MUAC, age) and a questionnaire covering feeding practices, socioeconomic status, housing, and disease history.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0.
Main Results:
- Overall malnutrition prevalence was 44% (220/500), with 23% wasted, 41% stunted, and 35% underweight.
- Significant risk factors identified: non-breastfeeding, short breastfeeding duration (<6 months), lack of colostrum, improper complementary feeding, maternal illiteracy, and 'Kancha' housing.
- Increased family size correlated with higher wasting, stunting, and underweight, while rising family income showed a protective effect. Diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) were significantly associated with malnutrition.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of children in Dhaka's slums suffer from malnutrition.
- Inadequate breastfeeding, poor complementary feeding practices, maternal illiteracy, substandard housing, and prevalent diseases are major contributors to malnutrition in this vulnerable population.
Abstract:
Malnutrition is a serious public health problem that has been linked to increase risk of morbidity and mortality in slums of Dhaka city and where the prevalence of malnutrition is very high. This study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors of malnutrition among under-5 children of selective slum area in Dhaka City. This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2019, among 500 under-5 children selected by random sampling technique from Agargaon and Beribadh slums of Dhaka city. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard methods those were weight, height, MUAC and age. A questionnaire was ready for data collection containing episode of diseases, breast feeding status, complementary feeding, family size, family income, maternal education status, housing, source of drinking water etc in under-5 children. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 21.0. Among 500 children from slums area, malnutrition was present in 220(44%) cases. Out of them 115(23%) children were wasted, 205(41%) children were stunted and 175(35%) children were underweight. Malnutrition was found significantly high among non-breast feed babies, who breast feed only for 6 months, in whom colostrum was not given and also when complimentary feeding was not given properly (p<0.05). Malnourished children were found significantly higher among illiterate mothers and those who used Kancha house (p<0.05). Wasting, stunting and underweight were more with increasing family size. There were a decreased number of malnutrition cases when family income rises. Diarrhoea and ARI was significantly associated with malnutrition (p<0.05). Large number of children in slum areas of Dhaka city was suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition was significantly higher among children who did not get colostrum; non-breast fed and got improper complimentary feeding. Maternal illiteracy, living in Kancha house, large family size, family income and associated disease condition were also contributed to malnutrition.
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