Differences in risk factors associated with single and multiple concurrent forms of undernutrition (stunting, wasting, or underweight) among children under 5 in Bangladesh : A nationally representative cross-sectional study

• Objectives: The current study aims at differentiating the risk factors of cooccurrence and the single dimension of undernutrition among under-5 children in Bangladesh. Design: A nationally representative cross-sectional study. Setting: Bangladesh.Participants: Children age under 5 years of age. Outcome measure: A child is considered to have cooccurrence of undernutrition if he/she has either coexistence of stunting and underweight; wasting and underweight at the same time or the coexistence of stunting, wasting, and underweight. Also, a child with a single dimension of undernutrition includes having stunting, wasting, and being underweight independently.Methods: A Chi-square test was used to assess the prevalence of undernutrition. Odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) of potential risk factors were quantified using logistic regression analysis. Results: Two out of five under-5 children are suffering undernutrition in Bangladesh. The prevalence of cooccurrence and the single dimension of child undernutrition in Bangladesh was 19.3% (95% CI: 18.2, 20.5) and 18.9 (95% CI:17.9, 19.7) respectively. The key risk factors of cooccurrence of undernutrition were children born with small birth weight [AOR-3.40, 95% CI-2.52, 5.57], socio-economically poorest households [AOR-2.29, 95% CI-1.74, 3.01] and children age group 48-59 months [AOR-2.18, 95% CI-1.80, 2.63], on the other hand, children age group 12-23 months [AOR-161, 95% CI-1.35, 1.92], socio-economically poorer households [AOR-1.41, 95% CI-1.09, 1.82] and paternal illiteracy [AOR-1.19, 95% CI-1.01, 1.42] was significantly associated with single dimension of undernutrition. Conclusion: One-fifth of the children are suffering cooccurrence of undernutrition and that is similar as measured by the single dimension of undernutrition. Parental education, mother’s undernutrition status, father’s employment status, children’s age, birth order, and small birth are the main differentiating risk factors of cooccurrence and the single dimension of undernutrition among under-5 children in Bangladesh which should be taken into consideration to formulate an evidence-based strategy to reduce undernutrition among under-5 children. 

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

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Community child health; Nutrition & dietetics; Preventive medicine; Public health

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