Study of Malnutirtion in Children below 5 years in SulaimanyaCity

Abstract

Study of malnutrition (underweight & overweight) in children under 5 years in that area
& its relation to different variables (Age, Sex, Type of milk feeding, Time of introduction
of complementary feeding, maternal education and previous hospital admission). The
sample was collected randomly from 4 primary health care centers in Sulaimany city
between (July - 2005) to (January - 2006). The total no. of children suweyed were 456,
256 (65.I o/o) were (male), 200 (43.9%) were (female). Stunting, wasting & underweight
were reported in 6.3Yo , 6.lyo ,lI.Iyo respectively ,while rate of obesity and overweight
werc 7.6Yo ,3.syo respectively. A statistically significant association was noted between
various forms of malnutrition and age implying an increase prevalence of stunting after
the 2nd year of life and increase in prevalence of underweight during the I't y.ut of lif",
while obesity and overweight clustered in the age range (4-5 yrs). Malnutrition also have
high association with level of maternal education , higher prevalence of malnutrition(
stunting ,wasting ,underweight) in illiterate mothers & lowest in highly educated ,while
prevalence of over nutrition (obesity & overweight) were more in highly educated
mothers and least in illiterate ones. The nutritional status of children under 5 years in
Sulaimany city seems to be satisfactory except for moderately high prevalence of wasting
which requires further support to the child health through continuing the nutritional
support offered to that area and promotion of maternal education regarding child health
and nutrition.