title: A qualitative study of risk factors related to child malnutrition in Aileu District, Timor-Leste.
abstract: Improvement in child nutritional status is one of the major health priorities in Timor-Leste. A qualitative study was conducted in Aileu District, adjacent to the capital of Timor-Leste, Dili, in September 2010 to determine the possible risk factors associated with the high prevalence of child malnutrition. In-depth interviews were conducted to 32 guardians of children aged younger than 5 years. It was observed that early termination of exclusive breast-feeding and a short lactation period along with an unsanitary living environment were associated with the nutritional status of children in the study area. Although previous surveys have reported poor food security conditions in the country, no statements from the subjects supported this contention. The identified possible risk factors for child malnutrition were closely linked to each other and were mostly modifiable.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Environmental Sciences, Fukuoka Women's University, Fukuoka, Japan mizumoto@fwu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mizumoto
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Environmental Sciences, Fukuoka Women's University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Shizuoka Eiwa Gakuin University Junior College, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
authors.affiliation: Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiyo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Dili, Timor-Leste.
authors.forename: Cholis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachroen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Dili, Timor-Leste.
authors.forename: Valente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Da Silva
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D049648:Timor-Leste / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Timor-Leste; breast-feeding; child malnutrition; diarrhea; sanitary environment