Prevalence of Malnutrition Among Under Five Years Old Children,Who are Attending Health Centers of Sanhan District, Sana'a -Yemen

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition among children is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, particularly in developing countries including Yemen. Therefore, this study aimde to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among under five years old .Yemen-Sana'a , istrictdSanhan ofenters cealth httending a Who are,hildrenc Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among under five years old children,Who are attending health centers of Sanhan district, Sana'a -Yemen. The sample size was determined using EpiCalc 2000 program. A conveniences sampling method was applied to estimate the sample size (751 children), for two months, from 13 October 2020 to 13 December 2020, after official approvals were obtained from the previously selected settings with researcher consideration for inclusion and exclusion criteria. A structured modifibale questionnaire and checklist were designed to collect data. SPSS version 21.0, descriptive and inferential statistics was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed That (49.2%) of children suffer from malnutrition, using Z-Score, (27.4%) of them of mild malnutrition, (17.3%) moderate malnutrition, and (4.5%) severe malnutrition. Based on the MUAC measure (56.2%) of the children of malnutrition (39.8%) of children were of mild malnutrition, (13.2%) of moderate malnutrition, and (3.2%) severe malnutrition. (78.1%) of children were of stunting using the height according to the child age scale, they are distributed, (29.4%) of children were mild stunting, (29%) moderate stunting, (20.1%) severe stunting. (38.9%) of children were underweight. A significant association between the prevalence of malnutrition using Z-Score and the child age, childbirth order, the educational level of the mother and father, monthly income, does the family have an integrated dietary diversity in the daily meals, current residence place, and current housing type at (P-Value ≤ 0.05). A significant association between prevalence of malnutrition using Z-Score and when start the breastfeeding, eat a varied and regular diet, vaccinated according to schedule, supplementary meals next to breastfeeding, when stopped breastfeeding, type of children at the birth, the mother eats a varied special diet during the pregnancy and lactation period, more than the usual family nutrition and the mother takes supplementary food (vitamins and minerals) during the pregnancy or breastfeeding, at (P-Value ≤ 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendations: Prevalence of malnutrition among under five years old children was high, using Z-Score, MUAC, stunting, and underweight. Current education programs, quality of health services, and nutritional interventions carried out for the benefits of mothers and children are recommended to be improved, hence it would effectively contribute in reducing the prevalence of malnutrition in Yemen.