Assessment of nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in Kanchanpur district, Nepal: Insights from a screening program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62992/3vnxnt83Keywords:
Children under five, Kanchanpur, Malnutrition, NepalAbstract
Background: Malnutrition is a major global public health issue especially affecting children under five years old, profoundly influencing their survival and overall development.
Objectives: This study evaluates the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months and explores the determinants of malnutrition in Kanchanpur District, Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, including 3,252 children aged 6-59 months from nine municipalities. Anthropometric measurements were collected from May-June 2024. Data was analysed using Emergency Nutrition Assessment (ENA 2020).
Results: Among the 3,252 children (45.6% female, 54.4% male) with a mean age of 31.88 months, the prevalence of global malnutrition was 3.0%, higher in girls (3.8%) than boys (2.2%). The prevalence of underweight was 19.3% (girls: 19.8%, boys: 18.9%). Stunting affected 17.0% of children (boys: 17.2%, girls: 16.7%), while wasting was observed in 14.9% (boys: 15.1%, girls: 14.5%). Older children (48-59 months) had a significantly higher risk of malnutrition compared to younger children (6-11 months), with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 2.9 (95% CI: 2.2-3.7) for underweight and 3.3 (95% CI: 2.5-4.3) for stunting. Ethnicity also played a significant role, with Dalit and Janajati children being more likely to be malnourished than Brahmin/Chhetri children.
Conclusion: This study identified age and ethnicity as key determinants of malnutrition in Kanchanpur District, emphasizing the need to address socio-economic and cultural factors especially among marginalized ethnic groups. Policymakers and health practitioners should prioritize tailored nutritional programs to address the specific needs of different age groups and communities, aiming to reduce malnutrition and achieve sustainable development goals.
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