The Survey of the Nutritional Status of ۲۵-۳۶ Month Old Rural Children and Some Factors Affecting it in the Rural Areas of Kerman

A survey was carried out to assess the nutritional status of ۲-۳ year old rural children and some factors affecting it in the rural areas of Kerman. All of the ۲۵-۳۶ month old children (i.e., ۱۰۱۵ children) under coverage of primary health care center were included in the study. About one -third of the children’s mothers (۳۳۴ mothers) were questioned. The data were collected using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with the mothers. In addition, weight (Wt) and height (Ht) of the children were measured. The nutritional status was determined using various classifications based on weight for age (Wt/A), height for age(Ht/A), and weight for height (Wt/Ht) and the effects of various factors on nutritional status was assessed. Based on the Z-score, cut-off point under -۲SD from median of the reference population (NCHS), ۱۶.۱% of the children were underweight (Wt/A), ۱۵.۶% stunted (Ht/A), and ۷.۲% wasted (Wt/Ht).According to percentile classification, ۲۰% of the children were underweight(Wt/A), ۱۹.۲% stunted (Ht/A), and ۸.۸% wasted (Wt/Ht). A statistically significant relationship was found between Wt/A and birthweight of the child, health and maternal nutritional practices. A statistically significant relationship was also found between Ht/A and family size, birth weight child, food budget and maternal nutritional practices. Similarly, a statistically significant relationship was found between Wt/Ht and food budget. The results showed a correlation between Ht/A and family size, birth height of the child. A correlation was also found between Wt/A and number of rooms per person.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nutritional Status ، ۲۵-۳۶ month old children ، Rural Areas ، Effective factors on children’s nutritional status ، Kerman