Factors Influencing Malnutrition Among Under 5 Year Children of District Gwadar, A Cross-Sectional Community Based Study

Abstract

Malnutrition is one of the major causes in low and middle-income families’ children’s deaths under the age of 5 years. Nine times as many children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) will pass away than healthy youngsters. In Pakistan, 17.7% of children under five are wasted, and 4 out of 10 infants under five are stunted. With almost 1/3 children (28.9%) underweight, the double burden of malnutrition is increasing. Objectives: To assess and identify the factors influencing malnutrition among under five years children of district Gwadar. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional research was carried out in randomly chosen clusters in several union councils in the Pakistani district of Gwadar. Mothers and other caregivers of children under five were interviewed as part of the house-to-house survey, using a practical sample approach. Results: The children age mean was 11.56 ± 12.4 months and the mean age of mothers was 27.29 ± 6.31 years. Overall stunting prevalence of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) cases was 21.2% and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) cases were 46.2%. Conclusions: According to the study's results, under the age of five the malnutrition was widespread. The three types of nutritional outcomes were all strongly correlated with household income. Particularly in Baluchistan's underdeveloped regions, more labor and studies are needed