Factors associated with undernutrition among children in a rural district of Kelantan, Malaysia.
The aim of the study was to identify the factors associated with undernutrition indicators in children 5 years and younger in a rural community in Malaysia. A total of 295 children and their carers were selected from community clinics based on a multistage sampling method. Pretested questionnaire, anthropometric measurement, and dietary assessment were used for data collection. There was 69% stunting, 63.4% underweight, 40% wasting, and 26.8% with mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) for age below a z score of -2 among children. In all, 10 factors were found to be associated with different indicators of undernutrition. Age was the only factor that had association with all the undernutrition indicators. Total household income and total expenditure showed significant association with underweight. Birth weight was reported to have significant association with underweight, stunting, and low MUAC-for-age. The findings suggest that the factors of undernutrition were different for different indicators of undernutrition and thus give a more comprehensive picture on factors contributing to acute and chronic malnutrition.
Cheah
Whye Lian
WL
Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. wlcheah@fmhs.unimas.my
Wan Muda
Wan Abdul Manan
WA
Mohd Hussin
Zabidi Azhar
ZA
Thon
Chang Ching
CC
D000328:Adult; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors