BACKGROUND : Malnutrition is defined as a pathological state resulting from absolute or relative deficiency or excess of one or more of the nutrients that are considered essential for normal life. Primary malnutrition is due to lack of primary health care and other social or environmental factors, and secondary malnutrition is due to the presence of some basic pathological conditions. Malnutrition is considered to be one of the foremost causes of morbidity and mortality in children less than five years of age throughout the world. Malnutrition may range from mild to severe and life-threatening.
OBJECTIVES : 1.To determine the prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 0-60 months in Alamadhi village.
2. To identify the associated factors of malnutrition among children aged 0-60 months in Alamadhi village.
METHODS : Descriptive Cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to September 2018 in Alamadhi village among randomly selected 200 children aged 0-60 months. After obtaining informed consent data pertaining to Socio- demographic details, child caring practices , utilization of services were collected through face-to-face interview from the mother of the child through validated semi-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were made following standard procedure for children. Data were entered in excel and analysed using SPSS Version 16.
RESULTS : The overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting were 36.5%, 27.5%, 36.4% respectively. 52% of the study participants were females. The nutritional status of the children were significantly associated with family size, literacy status of the mother, socio-economic status, breast feeding practices and household hygiene practices.
CONCLUSION : The study revealed that the prevalence of malnutrition was relatively high in alamadhi village. Particular emphasis on early initiation of breastfeeding, small family norms and household hygiene practices need to be enhanced to improve the nutritional status of young children.