Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central Malawi
Background: Child undernutrition is a public health problem in Malawi. In 2015, about 23% of child mortality was linked to the phenomenon. Child undernutrition is more prevalent in rural areas and there is limited data to inform rural-specific programs. The aims of this study are to examine the prev...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123002346 |
| _version_ | 1797374165177597952 |
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| author | Emmanuel Chilanga Maureen Chilanga |
| author_facet | Emmanuel Chilanga Maureen Chilanga |
| author_sort | Emmanuel Chilanga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Child undernutrition is a public health problem in Malawi. In 2015, about 23% of child mortality was linked to the phenomenon. Child undernutrition is more prevalent in rural areas and there is limited data to inform rural-specific programs. The aims of this study are to examine the prevalence and predisposing factors of undernutrition among 0–59 months-old children in rural central Malawi. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 538 child/mother dyads were systematically selected from postnatal clinics. Anthropometric assessment techniques and socio-demographic questionnaire was used to collect data. Child Z-scores for anthropometric data were calculated using Anthro v3.2.2. Logistic regressions were used to determine correlates of undernutrition. Results: The rates of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 42%, 11%, and 3%, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression models, limited access to safe water, and maternal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) were risk factors of child stunting (OR = 1.72, CI: 1.13–2.61) and (OR = 1.505, CI: 1.001–2.261) respectively. Child deworming, born at a low weight, and food insecurity were some of risk factors of child underweight (OR = 2.14, CI: 1.18–3.89), (OR = 2.41, CI: 1.23–4.71), and (OR = 1.89, CI: 1.01–3.51) respectively. Households that were near domestic water supply had low risk of registering wasted children (OR = 0.18, CI: 0.41–0.79). Conclusions: Only the prevalence of child stunting is greater in central Malawi compared to national level. This study suggests that child nutrition planners in Dowa district should pay attention to water access, food security, child deworming, childbirth weight, and IPV. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:00:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-85664660d38045c0aea6054097af1065 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2590-2911 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:00:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-85664660d38045c0aea6054097af10652023-12-28T05:19:16ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112023-01-0181100629Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central MalawiEmmanuel Chilanga0Maureen Chilanga1Department of Geography, University of Livingstonia, Livingstonia, Malawi; Corresponding author.Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi, Lilongwe, MalawiBackground: Child undernutrition is a public health problem in Malawi. In 2015, about 23% of child mortality was linked to the phenomenon. Child undernutrition is more prevalent in rural areas and there is limited data to inform rural-specific programs. The aims of this study are to examine the prevalence and predisposing factors of undernutrition among 0–59 months-old children in rural central Malawi. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 538 child/mother dyads were systematically selected from postnatal clinics. Anthropometric assessment techniques and socio-demographic questionnaire was used to collect data. Child Z-scores for anthropometric data were calculated using Anthro v3.2.2. Logistic regressions were used to determine correlates of undernutrition. Results: The rates of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 42%, 11%, and 3%, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression models, limited access to safe water, and maternal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) were risk factors of child stunting (OR = 1.72, CI: 1.13–2.61) and (OR = 1.505, CI: 1.001–2.261) respectively. Child deworming, born at a low weight, and food insecurity were some of risk factors of child underweight (OR = 2.14, CI: 1.18–3.89), (OR = 2.41, CI: 1.23–4.71), and (OR = 1.89, CI: 1.01–3.51) respectively. Households that were near domestic water supply had low risk of registering wasted children (OR = 0.18, CI: 0.41–0.79). Conclusions: Only the prevalence of child stunting is greater in central Malawi compared to national level. This study suggests that child nutrition planners in Dowa district should pay attention to water access, food security, child deworming, childbirth weight, and IPV.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123002346UndernutritionRisk factorsChild healthCentral Malawi |
| spellingShingle | Emmanuel Chilanga Maureen Chilanga Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central Malawi Social Sciences and Humanities Open Undernutrition Risk factors Child health Central Malawi |
| title | Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central Malawi |
| title_full | Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central Malawi |
| title_fullStr | Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central Malawi |
| title_full_unstemmed | Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central Malawi |
| title_short | Predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0- to 59-months-old children in rural communities of central Malawi |
| title_sort | predisposing and reinforcing factors of undernutrition among 0 to 59 months old children in rural communities of central malawi |
| topic | Undernutrition Risk factors Child health Central Malawi |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123002346 |
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