INFLUENCE OF INFANT FEEDING PRACTICE ON THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF 6-59 MONTHS CHILDREN OF SUKUMBASHI BASTI, KANKAI MUNICIPALITY JHAPA

Abstract

A nutritional survey was conducted among the 6–59 months of children residing in Sukumbashi basti, Kankai Municipality. Anthropometrics measurements along with household surveys were carried to find out the level of malnutrition and information about the feeding practice. Random sampling with 123 samples was taken for the study and the data collected were analyzed by using SPSS version 20 and WHO anthro 3.2.2 version. The study show that 6.5% were found to be wasted out of which no were found to be severely wasted. Similarly, 26.8% were found to be stunted out of which 1.6% were found to severely stunted and 9.7% of the children were found to be underweight, out of which 0.8% were severely underweight. The factor significantly associated with stunting (p≤0.05) were exclusive breastfeeding, starting of complementary feeding, pulses intake with 3-5 times per week and source of drinking water from river. Similarly, the factor significantly associated with wasting (p≤0.05) were exclusive breastfeeding, duration of breast feeding, types of complementary jaulo, and source of drinking water from river and the factor significantly associated with underweight at (p≤0.05) were exclusive breastfeeding, types of complementary and pulses intake per week. This indicates that under nutrition is still an important problem among 6 to 59 months children of Sukumbashi basti, Kankai municipality, Jhapa.