Udayani Prabha Kumari
Ministry Of Health, Sri Lanka
Title: The prevalence of undernurition and associated factors among children aged one to five years in a rural area in Sri Lanka
Biography
Biography: Udayani Prabha Kumari
Abstract
Introduction
High prevalence of child undernutrition is a well-known issue in rural areas. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and associated factors among children aged 1-5 years in Siyambalanduwa MOH area in Moneragala District.
Methods
A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 421 child-mother pairs in Siyambalanduwa MOH area using two stage cluster sampling method with a cluster size of 36. Children of mothers who cannot communicate in Sinhala were excluded. Data were collected by pre tested interviewer administered questionnaire and conducting anthropometric measurements according to WHO guidelines. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20. The chi-square test was used, and P<0.05 was considered for statistically significant.
Results
Overall 41% of children aged 1-5 years were undernourished in Siyambalanduwa MOH area. Among the study subjects 24% were underweight, 25.7% were stunted, 16.4% were wasted,9.2% were both underweight &stunted, 6.8% were both, underweight & wasted ,0.5% were both, stunted & wasted and 9.9% were underweight & stunted &wasted. Only the low total monthly income (P<0.001) and low birth weight (P<0.001) were significantly associated with child undernutrition. Among parents or caregivers 18.6% had good knowledge, 35.6% had favorable attitudes and 12.6% had good practices related to child nutrition. None of the above three factors were significantly associated with child undernutrition.
Conclusions and recommendations
Prevalence of undernutrition among children aged 1-5 years is high and urgent efforts to reduce undernutrition should be a priority.Future studies should focus on assessing how to reduce the burden with low cost appropriate interventions.