Factors of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children Under 5 Years of Age
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.3163Keywords:
Child, Developing Countries, Diarrhoea, Malnutrition, PovertyAbstract
Background: Severe acute malnutrition in children under five year is major health problem in developing countries and it lead to high illness and death. Many social and feeding related factors are responsible but still not well studied in local populations. Objective: To determine the factors associated with severe acute malnutrition in children under five years of age. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Duration and Place of Study: This study was carried out from 12 November 2024 to 12 May 2025 in Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Methodology: A total of 105 children aged 1–5 years having severe acute malnutrition were included. Data was collected by history and examination. Factors like poverty, parental education, family size, feeding practices, diarrhoea and immunisation were recorded. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. Results: Mean age was 2.37 ± 1.23 years and mean duration of disease was 6.51 ± 3.15 months. Illiterate mother was most common factor 77 (73.3%), followed by poverty 75 (71.4%) and rural residence 75 (71.4%). Illiterate father and large family were present in 58 (55.2%) each. Mixed feeding was 57 (54.3%), recurrent diarrhoea 47 (44.8%), partial immunisation 46 (43.8%), exclusive bottle feeding 38 (36.2%) and delayed weaning 35 (33.3%). Conclusion: Severe acute malnutrition is linked with many social and feeding factors. Maternal illiteracy, poverty and rural residence are most common factors. Early identification of these factors can help to reduce burden of disease
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