Malnutrition among under-5 children and its determinants in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh: A community-based study.

objectiveThe study examines the prevalence of stunting, the most common form of malnutrition and its determinants among children under-5 in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh.

designCross-sectional survey. SETTINGS: Two coastal villages of the Bagerhat and Khulna districts of Bangladesh.

participantsParticipants were selected using the simple random sampling technique with the following criteria: mothers who had at least one under-5 child and resided in the study area for not less than three consecutive years. OUTCOME MEASURES: To assess the nutritional status particularly, stunting (height for age) in children under-5, a standardised anthropometric measurement tool, such as a height-measuring vertical scale, was used and categorised into severely stunted, moderately stunted and normal height.

resultsThe study found that 57.5% of children were severely and 29% were moderately stunted. Findings revealed that mothers' age, prior experience of under-5 mortality, mothers' working status and age of the children were significant determinants of stunting prevalence among children under-5. Moreover, children of mothers aged 21-30 years (AOR = 2.190; 95% CI: 1.039 to 4.613;

conclusionThe study recommends training young mothers on effective child-rearing practices, creating income opportunities for women in rural Bangladesh, implementing local awareness programmes about appropriate growth standards for children and expanding facility-based healthcare centres in rural areas for better access to quality healthcare.