Determinants of severe acute malnutrition among children under five years in a rural remote setting: A hospital based study from district Tharparkar-Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives: To understand and catalogue the specific determinants of this alarming rate of malnutrition among children of Tharparkar district, Sindh Pakistan.

Methods: This was a hospital based analytical survey. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire by interviewing mothers of the children (age 6-59 months), admitted in the hospital. Following WHO guidelines, weight and length/ height of 105 children were recorded. Study was conducted in District Headquarters Hospital, Tharparkar district of Sindh province.

Results: Almost 48% children admitted in the hospital were identified with severe acute malnutrition. More males (55%) were malnourished as compared to females (45%). Maternal education, household income, family size, breastfeeding, vaccination status, and frequent infections were found to be significantly associated with the severe acute malnutrition.

Conclusion: Specific interventions on promoting exclusive breastfeeding, vaccination, and timely health care seeking behaviors would definitely improve the outcomes. Nevertheless, sector wide approaches would be needed on girls