Prevalence and Its Related Factors of Undernutrition among Under ۵-Year-Old Children, Fars, Iran ۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۸

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and related factors of under-nutrition among under ۵-year-old children in Fars province, Iran.  Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted during ۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۸ in Fars province of Iran. The study consisted of ۶۰۶ children (۰-۵۹ months) from ۱۳ regions of Fars province. A structured questionnaire collected the data, and under-nutrition indices, including stunting, wasting, and underweight, were investigated by the mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression model. Results: The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting were ۲%, ۴%, and ۴.۱%, respectively. Low birth weight was a risk factor for three undernutrition indices (P < ۰.۰۰۱; P < ۰.۰۰۱; and P = ۰.۰۰۴). Urban children were significantly more underweight and wasted than rural children (P = ۰.۰۰۱; and P = ۰.۰۰۲, respectively). Under-nutrition rates were impressed by the family size, mother's education, and father's occupation.  Conclusion: The prevalence of undernutrition in children can be reduced by identifying and controlling significant factors, including birth weight, maternal education, type of settlement, family size, and father's occupation.

کلیدواژه ها:

Malnutrition ، Children ، Multilevel models