Prevalence and risk factors for poor nutritional status among children in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania

Abubakar, Amina and Uriyo, Jacqueline and Msuya, Sia E. and Swai, Mark and Stray-Pedersen, Babill (2012) Prevalence and risk factors for poor nutritional status among children in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9 (10). pp. 3506-3518.

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Abstract

The current study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for poor nutritional status among children less than 36 months of age in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Using a cross sectional study design, children and their caregivers were recruited into the study. Anthropometric measures were taken based on established protocol while a standard questionnaire was utilized to collect socio-demographic data. A finger-prick blood sample was collected from all the children and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration analyzed using a HemoCue photometer (HemoCue AB, Angelholm, Sweden). Four hundred and twenty three (423) children (214 females) took part in this study. Participating children were aged between 1–35 months (mean = 13.04, SD = 7.70). We observed high rates of stunting (44.2%) and underweight (19.1%). Nearly 70% (n = 295) of the sample was anaemic (Hb < 11 g/dL). In a multivariate logistic regression model concerns on child growth, maternal education, and child's age were found to independently predict stunting; whereas concerns over child's growth and development, and distance to water source were found to uniquely predict being underweight. Maternal education was the only factor related to the child's anaemia. The current study further emphasizes the need to implement context relevant interventions to combat malnutrition in this region of Tanzania and other similar settings.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Additional Information:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739
Subjects:
?? adultanemia, iron-deficiencybody heightchild, preschoolcross-sectional studieseducational statusfemalehemoglobinshumansinfantinfant, newbornmalemothersnutritional statusprevalencerisk factorstanzaniathinnessyoung adultpublic health, environmental and occu ??
ID Code:
71904
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
01 Dec 2014 10:18
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
18 Dec 2023 01:26