NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE IN QUY CHAU, NGHE AN
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: To describe the prevalence of undernutrition and analyze factors associated with stunting and wasting among children under five years of age in Quy Chau district, Nghe An province.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 255 children aged 0-59 months and their mothers or primary caregivers in five localities of Quy Chau from May 2025 to May 2026. Weight and recumbent length/standing height were measured using standardized procedures. Nutritional status was classified according to the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards. Factors associated with each undernutrition type were examined using logistic regression.
Results: The proportion of children with at least one anthropometric index <-2SD was 30.2% (a study-defined composite indicator); stunting, wasting and underweight affected 18.4%, 12.2% and 7.1% of children, respectively. Wasting varied significantly across localities (p<0.001) and was highest in Chau Nga (32.0%). After adjustment, preterm birth was associated with higher odds of stunting (aOR=3.47; 95%CI: 1.20-10.08; p=0.022). Cesarean delivery showed an inverse association with stunting (aOR=0.34; 95%CI: 0.15-0.77; p=0.010); this is an observational finding and should not be interpreted as a protective effect. No independent factor was significantly associated with wasting.
Conclusion: Undernutrition remains an important child-health concern in Quy Chau, particularly the high prevalence of wasting. Growth monitoring should prioritize children born preterm, and nutrition screening should be strengthened in high-burden localities.
Keywords
Undernutrition, stunting, wasting, children under five, Quy Chau
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References
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