Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics (Jul 2024)
Correlation of non-biological factors with anthropometric andhaemoglobin measurements of children under 10 years old in southeast, Nigeria: Community-based study
Abstract
Background Childhood malnutrition also has non-biological determinants and little is known about it. Objective: To determine the differences in children’s height, weight and haemoglobin concentration across different sociodemographic characteristics. Design: The study was community-based study. The weight and height of the children were measured. The Z-scores were calculated. Blood was taken for haemoglobin estimation. Regression analysis was done to determine correlates. Results: More rural children (32%) have stunting and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). There was no difference in the prevalence of underweight among under urban (32.4%) and rural (33.4%) children. Children from the rural areas were more likely to be moderate-severely anaemic (19.7%) and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.003). Household size significantly relates to underweight and childhood anaemia (p = 0.002 and p = 0.036 respectively). Mother’s education were significantly related to tunting and childhood anaemia (p = 0.010 and p = 0.001 respectively). Childhood anaemia was significantly related to mother’s education (p = 0.001) and household (p = 0.036). Conclusions: Maternal age and education, household size and place of resident of a child affect children nutritional status. Improved education, and family planning can contribute to the reduction in the burden of malnutrition.
