WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF UNDER- FIVE CHILDREN IN MECHINAGAR, JHAPA

Abstract

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mechinagar municipality, Jhapa. Data were collected by using pretested, structured and semi-structured questionnaire and observation checklist to obtain information on socio-economic and demographic characteristics, child characteristics, child-caring practices, household characteristics and WASH practices. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, MUAC) were used to determine if the children were wasted, stunted or underweight based on WHO reference. Anthropometric analysis was done using WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 software and other statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22 software. Chi-square test and Fischer exact test were used to test the significant association between variables and nutritional status. The prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight was 7.4%, 9.8% and 7.4% respectively. Age group was found to be significantly associated with wasting (P= 0.023), stunting (P= 0.008) and underweight (P= 0.002). There was significant relationship of (P= 0.027) between the initiation of breastfeeding and underweight. Similarly, knowledge on preparation of ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) was significantly related with stunting (P= 0.008) and underweight (P= 0.032) of children. Stagnant sewage near house was significantly associated with underweight (P= 0.019) of children. Result of the study indicates that under nutrition is still prevalent but it is much lower than the national prevalence of undernutrition among under 5 years of children in Mechinagar 13, Jhapa.