Malnutrition among Children under Five Years of Age Our Experience: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition among children under five years of age.

Study design: A cross-sectional study

 Place and Duration:  This study was conducted at Khairpur Medical College Khairpur Mirs Pakistan from  January 2019  to January 2020.

Methodology: A total of 500 children aged less than 5 years were evaluated for malnutrition by measuring the child’s Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC). Structured questionnaires were used to conduct interviews in order to collect data regarding the status of malnutrition and socio-economical conditions. SPSS software version 22 was utilized for analyzing data. Religion, socioeconomic status, and caste, which are categorical variables, were studied by using frequency distribution. Middle Upper Arm Circumference and age, which are continuous variables, were evaluated using descriptive statistics as well as frequency distribution.

Results: Out of 500 children, 340 children ( 68%) were suffering from malnutrition. Out of these 340 children, 248 children were male while 252 were female. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of moderate and mild malnutrition between the female and male children. However, females (13.7%) were observed to get severe malnutrition more than males (6.7%). Malnutrition was most common in children, aged 6 to 11 months.

Conclusion: Our study shows that malnutrition is very common in our area . It also shows that malnutrition and its severity are higher in female children as compared to male children.