Nutritional Status of under 5 Year-Old Children and its Relationship with Maternal Nutrition Knowledge in Weeraketiya DS division of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The present study was conducted in the Weeraketiya divisional secretariat division of the Hambanthota district of Sri Lanka to determine the nutritional status of preschool children and to identify maternal knowledge regarding micronutrients and child feeding practices. The study sample consisted of 1102 families having 1219 children below 5 years of age. A population based cross-sectional study was carried out. An intervieweradministered, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information related to nutritional knowledge of the mother/caregiver during household visits. Heights and weights of the children were measured using properly calibrated equipment. Trained volunteers were used for taking measurements and administering the questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined using Epi Info software and data analysis was performed using the SPSS software. The prevalence of stunting (11.8%) in this community was lower than the national prevalence of stunting (18%). Prevalence of wasting (42.7%) and underweight (41.2%) was higher than national prevalence (15% and 21.6%, respectively). Wasting increased with the age and was the highest in the 49-60 month age group (50.2%). Prevalence of low birth weight (14.5%) was lower than the National average figure of 17.1%. The low birth weight had a positive relationship with the current undernutrition status of the child. Based on WHO criteria, Weeraketiya has a very high prevalence of wasting and underweight and low prevalence of stunting. Maternal educational status was not associated with the prevalence of undernutrition. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices were satisfactory but maternal knowledge regarding micronutrients, child feeding during illnesses and management of diarrhoea was poor. Low birth weight shared a relationship with the prevalence of wasting and underweight condition of the children in this community.

Knowledge on complementary feeding among parents of children aged 4-12 months attending a base hospital in a rural district in Sri Lanka

“…Only 37% knew that child should be given the usual food depending on the child's appetite. A previous study in Sri Lanka reported similar results 8 . Only 20-24% of parents were aware that 'on demand' breast feeding and regular and frequent breastfeeding should be halted once CF has started.…”

Magnitude of Stunting and Associated Factors Among 6-59 Months Old Children in Hossana Town, Southern Ethiopia

“…Based on the findings, the prevalence of stunting in this study was 35.4% (34.6-36.3 95% C.I).This study was in line with study conducted in Ghana, 36% [13]. The magnitude of stunting in this study was higher than study conducted in Peru 26.6% [14], Brazil 29.9% [15], Sirlanka 11.8% [16], South Africa 20.2% [17] and Egypt 13.8% [18] and the national prevalence in EDHS 2006, 29.8% [10] and EDHS done in 2011, 32% [9]. However, the prevalence of stunting in the study was lower than study conducted in, Nepal 37% [19], India 51.6% [20], Lao PDR 40% [21], Cambodia 38.6% [22] also the study conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo 43.9% [23] ,Uganda 41.6% [24], Tanzania 44% [25], Kenya 40% [26], Sudan Khartoum 51% [27] and Ethiopia 42% [28].…”

Nutritional Status and the Associated Factors in Under Five Years Children of Lamjung, Gorkha and Tanahun Districts of Nepal

“…Likewise in the study conducted in Sri Lanka (Peiris and Wijesinghe, 2010), 11.8% were stunted, 42.7% were wasted and 41.2% were underweight. A study conducted in Pakistan (Lodhi, Lodhi Wazir, Taimoor and Jadoon, 2009) revealed that 20% were stunted, 21% were wasted and 41.2%…”