Abstract
Abstract: Nutritional status is an important aspect of child’s health profile and affects child’s development and growth. This study aimed at exploring relationship between maternal literacy and malnutrition in children under-five years old. Methodology: Two groups were made comprising of mothers, according to the nutritional status of their under-five children presenting in free clinic in Ali Raza Abad Lahore with URTI. Results: Significant difference was found in literacy level in two groups; with 38% illiteracy amongst mothers with malnourished children as compared to 14% amongst women with children not suffering from malnutrition and p value at 0.0062. More mothers of children suffering from malnutrition were found illiterate as compared to mother of well-nourished children. Conclusion: As illiteracy affected children nutrition it is recommended that illiterate women may be targeted for health education on short term basis and education be made mandatory for long term solution to this problem.
Highlights
While malnutrition remains the biggest hurdle in improving children health globally especially third world countries and affects normal development, increasing morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable group
6 In another study Ansari highlighted that 22% children were stunned, 10% were wasted, and 24% were underweight in urban areas of Pakistan. 7Similar finding was presented by the Batool that the prevalence of stunting was 46% and underweight was 25% and 18% was under weight
Group B consisted of mothers whose children were not suffering from malnutrition according to the criteria specified above
Summary
While malnutrition remains the biggest hurdle in improving children health globally especially third world countries and affects normal development, increasing morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable group. In KPK, district Nowshera, Ali et al, found that 12.5% children were stunted, 15% were underweight, and 7% were wasted. 4 Another study from KPK, Afridi accounted that 14% children are underweight, 8% were underweight and stunned in Swat. 5 In a study from Quetta, Baluchistan it was reported that one out of two (48%) children were stunned and 10% were wasted. 6 In another study Ansari highlighted that 22% children were stunned, 10% were wasted, and 24% were underweight in urban areas of Pakistan. 8 In Sindh province, the situation of children in term of stunting, wasting, and underweight is alarming according to different studies. Nisar reported that 61% of children were stunned, 54% were underweight, and 47% were wasted in rural Sindh. Nisar reported that 61% of children were stunned, 54% were underweight, and 47% were wasted in rural Sindh. 9Similar findings were observed by Shah, who found that 26% children were
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