Factors Contributing to Malnutrition among Children Under 5 Years at St. Elizabeth Catholic Hospital, Ahafo Hwidiem
William Wilberforce Amoah1, Dora Kobi2, Philip Teg-Nefaah Tabong3
1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Insights
Child malnutrition, including underweight, stunting, and wasting, is prevalent in children under five. Interventions like improved feeding practices and vaccinations are crucial for better child nutrition outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Child nutrition is critical for physical and psychological development.
- Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition significantly impact children under five.
- This study addresses the prevalence and associated factors of malnutrition indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting in children under five.
- To identify factors associated with these malnutrition indicators.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional, facility-based study was conducted.
- Data collected from 245 children (11-49 months) using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements.
- Statistical analyses included Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates: underweight (35.9%), stunting (13.9%), wasting (33.9%).
- Underweight was higher in females and younger children (11-23 months).
- Wasting was significantly associated with older age groups (24-59 months); stunting showed no associated factors.
Conclusions:
- Child malnutrition remains a significant issue in the under-five population.
- Key interventions include promoting healthy complementary feeding, preventing diarrheal diseases, and vaccination.
- Integrated nutrition education programs are vital for improving children's nutritional status.
Background:
Nutrition among children under 5 plays an important role in the overall development of children physically and psychologically. Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition generally affect children. In this study, we estimate the prevalence of 3 malnutrition indicators underweight, stunting and wasting and to assess factors associated with them.
Objective:
The main objective of the study was to assess the factors contributing to malnutrition among children under 5 years old.
Design:
The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design to assess the factors contributing to malnutrition among children under 5 years of age.
Methods:
This is quantitative cross-sectional facility-based study of 245 children aged 11 to 49 months. A structured questionnaire was used, and anthropometric measurements were taken to collect data. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the bivariate association between the outcomes and the characteristics. The binary logistic regression model was employed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds of malnutrition indicators among the characteristics observed in the study.
Results:
The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 35.9, 13.9, and 33.9%, respectively. Underweight was significantly higher among females compared to males (42.0% vs. 24.1%) and highest among children aged 11 to 23 months (53.6%). Female children had 3 times more odds of being underweight (AOR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.56-6.12). Compared to children aged 11 to 23 months, the odds of being underweight were less among children aged 24 to 35 months (AOR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.13-0.51, P < .001), and 36 to 47 months (AOR: 0.9, 95% CI: 0.03-0.29, P < .001). Wasting was less prevalent among children aged 11 to 23 months (4.8%). Also, wasting was high among children aged 24 to 35 months (AOR: 27.41, 95% CI: 9.12-82.37, P < .001), 36 to 47 months (AOR: 28.23, 95% CI: 7.59-104.94, P < .001), and 48 to 59 months (AOR: 18.10, 95% CI: 3.04-107.76, P < .001). None of the observed factors were associated with stunting in the study.
Conclusion:
This study concludes that child malnutrition was high among under-five children. Promoting the use of healthy complementary feeding, preventing diarrheal diseases, and vaccinating children integrated with access to nutrition education programs are vital interventions to improve the nutritional status of children.
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