Prevalence and associated factors of nutritional status among children under 5 years: a community-based cross-sectional study in Bhimdatta municipality, Kanchanpur, Nepal.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the nutritional status and identify associated factors among children under 5 years residing in Ward 10 of Bhimdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur District, Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal.

DESIGN

Community-based cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Ward 10 of Bhimdatta Municipality, the second-largest ward by population within the municipality.

PARTICIPANT: A total of 248 children aged 6-59 months were selected using simple random sampling from a list of eligible children compiled through the local vitamin A supplementation programme. Children who were ill for more than 7 days, had physical deformities or whose mothers were illiterate were excluded. Data were collected between 2 January and 25 May 2024.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric indicators-height-for-age (stunting), weight-for-height (wasting) and weight-for-age (underweight)-according to WHO Child Growth Standards. Measurements were taken using a ShorrBoard to the nearest 0.1 cm, and WHO Anthro V.3.1.0 was used to generate Z-scores. Data were analysed using EpiData V.3.1 and SPSS V.20. Descriptive statistics were computed, and χ2 tests identified candidate variables for multinomial logistic regression to determine factors associated with nutritional status.

RESULTS

The study found that 35.08% of children under 5 years in Ward 10 were affected by some form of under-nutrition. A significant association was observed between under-nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding practices (p<0.05), underscoring the importance of early infant feeding practices. Model adequacy was confirmed using likelihood ratio and Pearson's χ2 tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Under-nutrition remains a major public health concern among children under 5 years in Bhimdatta Municipality. Interventions focusing on promoting exclusive breastfeeding, improving maternal education and strengthening household food security are recommended to enhance child nutritional outcomes.