title: Risk Factors for Child Malnutrition in Bangladesh: A Multilevel Analysis of a Nationwide Population-Based Survey.
abstract: To identify the prevalence and risk factors of child malnutrition in Bangladesh.
  
  
  
  Data was extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (2011). The outcome measures were stunting, wasting, and underweight. χ(2) analysis was performed to find the association of outcome variables with selected factors. Multilevel logistic regression models with a random intercept at each of the household and community levels were used to identify the risk factors of stunting, wasting, and underweight.
  
  
  
  From the 2011 survey, 7568 children less than 5 years of age were included in the current analysis. The overall prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight was 41.3% (95% CI 39.0-42.9). The χ(2) test and multilevel logistic regression analysis showed that the variables age, sex, mother's body mass index, mother's educational status, father's educational status, place of residence, socioeconomic status, community status, religion, region of residence, and food security are significant factors of child malnutrition. Children with poor socioeconomic and community status were at higher risk of malnutrition. Children from food insecure families were more likely to be malnourished. Significant community- and household-level variations were found.
  
  
  
  The prevalence of child malnutrition is still high in Bangladesh, and the risk was assessed at several multilevel factors. Therefore, prevention of malnutrition should be given top priority as a major public health intervention.
authors: Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, First Capital University of Bangladesh, Chuadanga, Bangladesh.
authors: Mohammad Rocky Khan
authors: MR
authors: Chowdhury
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, First Capital University of Bangladesh, Chuadanga, Bangladesh; Department of Global Health Policy, School of International Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Mohammad Shafiur
authors: MS
authors: Rahman
authors: Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors: Mohammad Mubarak Hossain
authors: MM
authors: Khan
authors: Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
authors: Mohammad Nazrul Islam
authors: MN
authors: Mondal
authors: Department of Population Science and Human Resource Development, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh; International Health Section, Division of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Mohammad Mosiur
authors: MM
authors: Rahman
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: baki.billah@med.monash.edu.au.
authors: Baki
authors: B
authors: Billah
mesh_terms: D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires