Explore the Parental Determinants associated with Malnutrition among Children Under Five Years Residing in Rural Areas

Abstract

Introduction: It has been estimated that each year death of about 2.3 million under five children in developing

countries is attributed to malnutrition.1 Rural Indian children are facing this problem of lethal evil more as

compared to Urban children in India.

Objective: To explore the parental determinants associated with malnutrition among under five children in

rural area.

Method: Descriptive survey approach was used for the study with cross sectional case control design. 166

underfive rural children between 6 months to 5 years of age, were selected by complete enumeration method

from Bhagawati village, Bagalkot. The data regarding determinants was collected by structured interview

schedule. WHO anthro Plus software was used to categories the children according to their Nutritional

status. The association was explored by Chi square test, Fisher’s exact probability test and Linear regression.

Results: Total 166 children were screened for nutritional status, in that 40 (24.10%) were found moderately

underweight and 2 (1.20%) were severely underweight. A significant association was found between

nutritional status of underfive children and Parental determinants: Mother’s education, Mother’s occupation,

Mother’s age at delivery, Presence of illness or health problem during delivery and Post natal illness and

Father’s educational status.

Conclusion: The findings revealed that better socio-economic status, mother’s age, birth order, spacing,

recommended exclusive breast feeding, early recommended supplementary foods, complete immunization

and timely care seeking had positive effect on children health, which were also statistically significant.