Study the malnutrition status of children aged 6-24 months of the Cham ethnic group in Tan Chau town, An Giang province in 2018

Abstract

Background: In recent years, according to the investigation report of the Institute of Nutrition, the malnutrition rate of children in remote, faraway, and ethnic minority areas is still high compared to children in other regions. Studying the malnutrition status of children aged 6 to 24 months of the Cham ethnic group in Tan Chau town, An Giang province is a practical need to provide some scientific evidence for interventions to reduce the malnutrition rate of children in the locality. This study aims to explore the nutritional status of children aged 6-24 months of the Cham ethnic group in Tan Chau town, An Giang province in 2018. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Cham ethnic children from 6 to 24 months old at the time of the survey and the mothers of the children living in Tan Chau town, An Giang province. Results: Research shows that the average weight and length increase with age group, and boys have higher corresponding average values than girls. The malnutrition group has the highest malnutrition rate in the age group of 6-12 months at 27.2% and the lowest in the age group of 19-24 months at 2.6%. Undernourished group in the Stunted category has the highest undernourishment rate in the age group of 6-12 months at 44.1% and the lowest in the age group of 19-24 months at 25.7%. Undernourished group in the Wasted category has the highest undernourishment rate in the age group of 13-18 months at 13.9% and the lowest in the age group of 19-24 months at 2.6%. Conclusions: The malnutrition status of children aged 6-24 months of the Cham ethnic group in Tan Chau town, An Giang province in 2018 is still quite high.