NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF 6 – 59 MONTHS CHILDREN OF TAJPURIYA COMMUNITY OF GAURADAHA MUNICIPALITY, JHAPA

Abstract

Abstract Child malnutrition in the form of stunting, wasting, underweight and clinical malnutrition has significant implications for healthy human development. Despite the various efforts, malnutrition among children is remaining as a major public health problem in Nepal. This study was undertaken with the objectives to assess the nutritional status of under-five year children and to find out the factors associated with it. A community based cross sectional study was conducted on 165 children aged 6-59 months using anthropometric measurement and structured questionnaires for assessing the nutritional status of under-five children of Tajpuriya community of Gauradaha municipality and factors associated with it respectively. Children were selected by purposive sampling method. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and WHO Anthro 3.2.2 version. Chi-square test was used to identify the associated factors of malnutrition. The analysis of this study revealed that, 36.4%, 24.8% and 16.4% of children were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. The main associated factors of stunting were found to be maternal age at first pregnancy (P=0.027). Underweight was found to be associated with age of child (P=0.005) and current breastfeeding status (P=0.003). Wasting was found to be associated with family size (P=0.050), mother education (P=0.05), and number of under five children (P=0.017). From the findings of this study, it is concluded that malnutrition is still an important problem among Tajpuriya children aged 6-59 months. Therefore, special attention should be given on intervention program on malnutrition.