Volume 1, Issue 3 ((Autumn) 2012)                   J Occup Health Epidemiol 2012, 1(3): 139-149 | Back to browse issues page


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1- Faculty Member, Dept of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran.
2- Faculty Member, Dept of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran. , rezaei47@yahoo.com
Article history
Received: 2013/05/6
Accepted: 2014/01/18
ePublished: 2014/01/18
Subject: Epidemiology
Abstract:   (8828 Views)

  Background : Malnutrition is still a major health problem in the developing countries. It is recognized that 60% of deaths among children under five year in these countries are associated with malnutrition. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in children under 5 years old in Iranshahr in 2011.

  Materials and Methods : This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The sample consisted of 700 children less than 5 years old who were randomly selected by cluster and quota method among health centers. Child growth was measured based on NCHS-WHO charts. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed by SPSS Ver.18, using chi-square, and logistic Regression tests for comparing groups.

  Results : Prevalence of stunting (height for age) was 11.1%, (disorder of growth = 7.7%, severe malnutrition = 3.4%), underweight (weight for age) was 9.8% (disorder of growth = 7%). Malnutrition has significant association with birth grade, delivery type, hospitalization history, educational level of parents, parents' job, birth weight, vaccination and the regular consumption of supplementary vitamins (p<0/05).

  Conclusion: Although prevalence of malnutrition in this study was lower than WHO statistic report, (30%) but this is locally important and health staff and parents must be educated on nutritional values. Malnutrition is a major problem which is a reason for suppressed immune system, causing the increase of infectious diseases and infant mortality.

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