STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION ON CHILDREN SIX MONTHS TO FIVE YEARS (A CASE STUDY OF YUSUF DANTSOHO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL) FROM (2017 – 2021)

The issue of malnutrition has become a household name among families with children from zero to five years. It is evident that the nutritional status of children is widely regarded as one of the well-known indicators of economic development of that particular region in question. There has been a high level of neglect of children by most parents’ reason being as a result of low family income, lack of parent exposure and poor implementation of infrastructural facilities such as good hospitals that serve children like pipe borne water etc. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that malnutrition accounts for 54 percent of child mortality worldwide, about 1 million children. Another estimate also by WHO states that childhood underweight is the cause for about 35% of all deaths of children under the age of five years worldwide. The main causes are unsafe water, inadequate sanitation or insufficient hygiene, factors related to society and poverty, diseases, maternal factors, gender issues and overall poverty (Bhutta et al, 2008). The nutritional status of children under five (5) years of age is usually measured as weight-for-age, weight for height and height for age indexes. The common nutritional status of children under 5 years old in each region such as being underweight, stunning and wasting are considered as nutritional disorders.

The evaluation of these criteria reflects the general health status of that region. Malnutrition is a clinical syndrome in which the infant or child deviates from the main pattern of growth, the growth curve is downward and constantly located under the curve of 3% of the height and weight (Nakhshab M, Nasiri H, 2009).

Malnutrition often occurs in the first years of life when the caloric intake is not able to provide the metabolic needs of the body. Consequently, the stored nutrients in the tissues will be consumed to preserve life (Arezomaniance S, 2005). In children, protein-energy malnutrition is defined by measurements that fall below 2 standard deviations under the normal weight for age (underweight), height for age (stunting) and weight for height (wasting). Wasting indicates recent weight loss, whereas stunting usually results from chronic weight loss. The primary malnutrition in children occurs due to socioeconomic factors and lack of food. Secondary malnutrition is associated with diseases with increased need for calories, calorie loss, and reduction of calorie intake or a combination of these three modes. It may be caused by low food intake or impaired absorption of nutrients.

Prenatal malnutrition and early life growth patterns can alter metabolism and physiological patterns and have lifelong effects on the risk of cardiovascular disease. Children who are undernourished are more likely to be short in adulthood, have lower educational achievement and economic status, and give birth to smaller infants (Bhutta et al, 2008). Children often face malnutrition during the age of rapid development, which can have long-lasting impacts on health.

    Malnutrition doesn’t only affect a child’s health – it also inhibits their future development:

A big cause of malnutrition is our poor health environment due to poor hygiene practices, poor sanitation and poor living conditions. Malnutrition has become an urgent global health issue, with undernutrition killing or disabling millions of children each year. Malnutrition also prevents millions more from reaching their full intellectual and productive potential.

The main aim of the research work is to carry out a statistical analysis of the prevalence of malnutrition in children six month to five years. Other specific aims of the study include:

It will provide useful information to parents on how best to provide the necessary nutrition to their children, identification of the causes of poor nutrition on children and the implementation of the recommendations suggested by various nutritional bodies will lead to better and healthy generation. This is because Poor nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child's life can also lead to stunted growth, which is associated with impaired cognitive ability and reduced school and work performance.

The study is based on the prevailing situation of children under the ages of 5years. World Health Organization data as of 2018 show that almost half (45%) of mortality among children under the age of 5years is due to malnutrition. World Health Organization data as of 2018 show that almost half (45%) of mortality among children under the age of 5 is due to malnutrition. 3.1 million children die of hunger annually. Malnutrition leads to child growth failure (CGF), which is expressed as stunting, wasting, and underweight.

Malnutrition: Malnutrition refers to deficiencies or excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential nutrients or impaired nutrient utilisation. The double burden of malnutrition consists of both undernutrition and overweight and obesity, as well as diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Undernutrition manifests in four broad forms: wasting, stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies.

Wasting: This is define defined as low weight-for-height. It often indicates recent and severe weight loss, although it can also persist for a long time. It usually occurs when a person has not had food of adequate quality and quantity and/or they have had frequent or prolonged illnesses. Wasting in children is associated with a higher risk of death if not treated properly. 

Stunning: This is defined as low height-for-age. It is the result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition, usually associated with poverty, poor maternal health and nutrition, frequent illness and/or inappropriate feeding and care in early life. Stunting prevents children from reaching their physical and cognitive potential. Underweight is defined as low weight-for-age. A child who is underweight may be stunted, wasted or both.

Macronutrient: Micronutrient deficiencies are a lack of vitamins and minerals that are essential for body functions such as producing enzymes, hormones and other substances needed for growth and development. Micronutrients are essential dietary elements required by organisms in varying quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions to maintain health.

Analysis: The definition of analysis is the process of breaking down something into its parts to learn what they do and how they relate to one another. Examining blood in a lab to discover all of its components is an example of analysis.

Child: A child is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority. Children generally have fewer rights and responsibilities than adults.