Abstract
BackgroundChildren acute malnutrition (AM) is a global public health concern, especially in low and middle income countries. AM is associated with multiple physiological vulnerabilities, including immune dysfunction, enteric barrier disruption, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and essential nutrient deficits. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AM and its associated factors among preschool children in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December, 2016. Children acute malnutrition was assessed using mid-upper arm circumference. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the associated factors after adjusting the effect of independent factors of children AM.ResultThe prevalence of AM amongst preschool children was 8.7%, among them 2.2 and 6.5% were severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition, respectively. Z-proportional test demonstrated that the difference in AM between girls (11.6) and boys (5.9%) was significant (p < 0.05). Children AM was associated with being: (i) children aged 6–23 months (aOR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.20–4.37; p < 0.05), (ii) early childbearing mothers’ (age < 20 years) children (aOR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.08–8.66; p < 0.05), (iii) children living in poor family (aOR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.11–8.12; p < 0.05), (iv) children living in unhygienic latrine households (aOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.52–5.09; p < 0.01), (v) Hindu or other religion children (aOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.19–0.92; p < 0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of AM was high among these preschool children. Some modifiable factors were associated with AM of preschool children. Interventions addressing social mobilization and food security could be an effective way to prevent acute malnutrition among children in Bangladesh.
Highlights
Acute malnutrition is one of the leading public health concerns globally, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [1]
We observed that 90% children was born with normal weight, 42.8% children living in middle family, and 68.9% children living in house where hygienic latrine facility was available
The burden of acute malnutrition (AM) was high among preschool in the regional part of Bangladesh, which is an alarming issue for policy maker
Summary
Acute malnutrition is one of the leading public health concerns globally, including in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [1]. More than 17 million children are suffered from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). AM in compare to well-nourish, have a three-fold increased risk of mortality, increases the risk of stunted growth, impaired cognitive development [4], non-communicable diseases in adulthood and deaths from infectious diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia and measles. Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is more prevalent than severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and affects approximately 64% of all those categorized as having AM [1]. AM has affects more than 50 million under-five children, causing 8.0% of child deaths globally each year [5, 6]. Children acute malnutrition (AM) is a global public health concern, especially in low and middle income countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AM and its associated factors among preschool children in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh
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