Effect of Maternal Socio-demographic Factors and Child Feeding Practice on Wasting Among Under Five Years Children in Slum Area of Rupandehi District in Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Childhood wasting although well studied elsewhere, it has not been well understood about in slum area of Nepal. This study aimed to assess effect of socio-demographic factors and child feeding practice in the determination of wasting among the children under five years of age in slum area of Nepal.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was performed among 150 children under five years of age from the slum area of Nepal between 1st January and 28th February 2013 using simple random sampling techniques. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors associated with wasting controlling the potential confounders.Results: In a total of 150 under five years children, the prevalence of wasting was 56 (37.33%). The current study demonstrated that children of mothers from dalit (Adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) 11.5; 95% CI: 03.1 – 41.3), aadibasi/janajati (AOR 4.6; 95% CI: 1.2 – 17.0), illiterate mothers (AOR 3.6; 95% CI: 1.1 – 13.6), laborer mothers (AOR 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-9.4), child age group 25-36 months (AOR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5-5.3), multiple child birth order (AOR 10.0; 95% CI: 2.5-25.0), children who were not fed colostrums (AOR 15.0; 95% CI: 1.25-10.0)) were more likely to develop wasting compared to their counterparts.Conclusions: As incremental childhood wasting is associated with maternal socio-demographic factors and child feeding practice, health promotion strategies should focus maternal socio-demographic factors, age of children and early initiation of breast feeding for the improved child nutrition in slum area of Nepal.Keywords: socio-demographic factors; urban slum; under five children; wasting. [PubMed]

Determinants of severe acute malnutrition among under 5 children in Satar community of Jhapa, Nepal

“…In this study, mother’s age at birth was not an independent determinant for SAM, which is consistent with studies conducted in Rupandehi, Nepal and Ethiopia [ 30 , 31 ]. The possible reason might be that early marriage was very common in the Satar community; women were prepared for all the difficulties generally experienced by new mothers (especially young mothers) in taking care of a household, child bearing and rearing.…”

“…In our study there was no significant association between SAM and number of family members. The study done in Rupandehi, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan are in accordance with the result of our study [ 30 , 38 , 39 ]. The insignificant difference found between SAM and family size might be due to the social setting of the indigenous village (Satar), where children of both cases and controls live in joint family.…”

“…The higher prevalence seen might be due to the study population, Satar community, which is vulnerable and marginalized community of Nepal wherein the Santhal children are still devoid of good feeding practices, and economic stability. In this study, mother's age at birth was not an independent determinant for SAM, which is consistent with studies conducted in Rupandehi, Nepal and Ethiopia [30,31]. The possible reason might be that early marriage was very common in the Satar community; women were prepared for all the difficulties generally experienced by new mothers (especially young mothers) in taking care of a household, child bearing and rearing.…”

Wasting Prevention in under Five-Years-Old Children with Exclusive Breastfeeding

“…Exclusive breastfeeding is essential for the prevention of under-nutrition in children under five years of age, including preventing wasting [9]. Children under five who are not given EBF are more at risk of wasting compared to children who are exclusively breastfed [3,12,29].…”

“…Non-EBF practice is estimated to account for more than 11% of mortality in children under five years [4]. Children who are not exclusively breastfed are more at risk of wasting than children who are exclusively breastfed [2,11,12]. This paper aimed to review evidence demonstrating the benefits of EBF in preventing wasting in children aged five years old or younger.…”