Nutrition Status and Selected Factors Associated with Malnutrition of Children between 2-5 Years of Age in Medical Officer of Health Area Attanagalla, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Gampaha district is the second most populous district of Sri Lanka and prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among 2 to 5 years old children has been on average, at a level higher than 10%. This study aims to describe the nutrition status and selected factors associated with malnutrition of children of 2 to5 years of age, in the Medical Officer of Health Attanagalla area in Sri Lanka. A community based cross sectional study was carried out in all fifty Public Health Midwife areas in Attanagalla, Gampaha district from January to March 2014 among 455 children, within the age category of 2 to 5 years. Interviewer administered, pre tested and structured questionnaire was used by five trained data collectors, to obtain data from the mothers or female guardians of the children. Results show that among the children prevalence of stunting (16.3%), wasting (9.5%) and underweight (18.7%) were identified based on anthropometric measurements. All three nutritional indices were high among male children (P>0.05) and children within the age categories of 36-47 months and 48-59 months were more susceptible (Df=2, P>0.05). Higher level of education (Df=1, P<0.01), both parents being employed and high income had a positive impact on the reduction of the three indices. Breast feeding only during the first six months and adopting complimentary feeding during the first six months since birth, had a significant (P<0.05) impact. Lack of knowledge on proper feeding practices during a child’s illness and unsafe drinking water (P<0.01), were other key concerns. Implementing community empowering and educational programmes are recommended in reducing malnutrition in the Medical Officer of Health Attanagalla area in Sri Lanka.