Factors contributing to malnutrition among children under five years in the Maldives

Abstract

Children’s Malnutrition in Maldives is still a major public health problem, showing a prevalence of 19% stunted and 16 % wasted 317% under nourished (MDHS, 2009) among children under five years. Moderate acute malnutrition affects worldwide resulting in life long adverse effects including increased mortality, suppressed immune system functions, and delayed growth and cognitive development. According to the WHO classifications the level for stunting, wasting and underweight are considered still high in the Maldives. The objective of this dissertation is to assess the factors( mothers education; wealth of household; and place of residence) contributing to malnutrition among children under five years in the Maldives in order to identify possible intervention that help in improving child malnutrition in the Maldives. The sample of 721 children in Urban and 1792 children in rural were collected from the MDHS and a data set was formulated for the study. This dissertation was guided by the modified model of theoretical frame work adopted from UNICEF conceptual framework for malnutrition. The framework provides connection between mothers education; wealth quintile; and place of residence which contributes to nutritional status under five years children. The relationship between rural and urban children’s - 2SD mild stunting status are same but rural children’s -3SD stunting shows they are affected more than urban children. Wasting and underweight among rural children are much higher compare to urban children. Analysis of household wealth influence shows those who at lowest level have less stunted children as compare the second and middle level of wealth. Wasting and underweight also shows similar pattern. To compare the nutritional status in regions shows under nutrition is higher in Central and North Central region .Compare to Male’ the under nutrition status is two times higher than those regions. The relationship of mothers education to children’s nutritional status shows that children of mothers completing higher education had 3 times reduction in getting a stunted and underweighted child. As compare to no formal education of mothers, wasting children was higher among primary educated mothers. With the analysis of the result it has suggested to strengthen female education at schools where dropout rate is higher. Also provide nutrition education and proper child care practices training to mothers. Promote communication for behavior change using the hearth model to those regions. Conduct further research in-depth analysis on wealth quintiles.