Risk Factors of Severe Acute Malnutrition among Under-five Children: A Hospital-based Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is a major public health problem of developmental concern with both health and socioeconomic consequences. The study was aimed to determine the risk factors of severe acute malnutrition among under-five children. Material and Methods: This hospital-based case control study was conducted from December 2015 to April 2016 whereby a total of 196 children under 5 years (98 cases and 98 controls) whose age ranged from 6 to 60 months were included in the study, data were collected retrospectively using a questionnaire, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was taken using standard procedures. SPSS statistical software version 19 was used to analyze the dataset. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of the cases and controls was 18.34 ± 14.6 and 16.93 ± 14.1 months, respectively, and the mean ± SD MUAC of the cases and controls was 9.36 ± 1.1 and 14.59 ± 2.2 cm, respectively. Risk factors associated with severe acute malnutrition were lack of taking balanced diet more than 3 times/day (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.355, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.162– 24.690), irregular hand washing with soap or other cleaning agents before feeding child (AOR = 0.317, 95% CI = 0.139–0.723), and father’s education level 0–8 class (AOR = 0.190, 95% CI = 0.054–0.676). Conclusions: Severe acute malnutrition was found to be associated with father’s education level, lack of taking balanced diet, and irregular hand washing. Interventions to reduce malnutrition and address the factors contributing to malnutrition should be a policy priority.

Keywords

• bangladesh
• diarrhea
• malnutrition
• nutrition
• public-health
• under-five children