Addressing determinants of malnutrition: A protocol of project Tushti

Improved nutrition situation analysis can increase the understanding of the likely magnitude and main causes of the nutrient gap among children less than 2 years of age. The present study was aimed at assessing nutritional status and factors related to it in children less than 2 years of age in the Devbhumi Dwarka District of Gujarat, India.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample size for a population-based survey was calculated using Open Epi and considering 20% non-response rate. Sample size for the study was 1,200 but sample size achieved was 1,301. Chi-square analyses were performed to identify significant determinants of under-nutrition separately for stunting, wasting, and underweight.

The prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting was 14, 17, and 32%, respectively. Prevalence of low birth weight was recorded as 14% in the district. The overall prevalence of overweight was 20% and 6% as per weight for height and weight for age criteria, respectively. The proportion of children with exclusive breastfeeding observed to be decreasing with increasing age from birth to 6 months; 70% of children were exclusively breastfeed at the age of 6 months compared to 84% at their births. Chi-square analyses revealed that parity and spacing as significant determinants of under-nutrition in children less than 2 years in the district.

In Devbhumi Dwarka, burden of malnutrition was recorded. Maternal literacy, parity, and spacing emerged as significant determinants of under-nutrition in children less than 2 years in the district. Multipronged and convergence approach is needed to combat menace of child malnutrition.