Factors Associated with Acute Malnutrition among Children Admitted to a Diarrhoea Treatment Facility in Bangladesh

Abstract

To assess the risk factors for acute malnutrition (weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) 1 year) (adjusted OR (AOR): 3.1, P=0.004); have an undernourished mother (body mass index < 18.5), (AOR: 2.8, P=0.017); have a father with no or a low-paying job (AOR: 5.8, P<0.001); come from a family having a monthly income of <10,000 taka, (1 US$ = 80 taka) (AOR: 2.9, P=0.008); and often have stopped predominant breastfeeding before 4 months of age (AOR: 2.7, P=0.013). Improved understanding of these characteristics enables the design and targeting of preventive-intervention programs of childhood acute malnutrition.