Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42605292›Full record

ArticleCureus2026

Knowledge Regarding Factors Contributing to Severe Acute Malnutrition and the Lived Experiences of Parents With Children Admitted in a Nutritional Rehabilitation Center in Gujarat, India: A Pilot Study.

Nirmal Raj Ev, Manish Rasania

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Nirmal Raj EvDepartment of Pediatric Nursing, Sumandeep Nursing College, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Vadodara, IND.
Manish RasaniaDepartment of Pediatrics, Smt. B. K. Shah (SBKS) Medical Institute and Research Centre, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Vadodara, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcute malnutrition remains a major global public health concern, affecting millions of children under five years of age and contributing significantly to child morbidity and mortality. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the most critical form, is strongly associated with inadequate dietary practices, poor awareness, and socio-economic constraints.

objectiveThe objective of this study is to assess parental knowledge regarding factors contributing to SAM and to explore the lived experiences of parents of children admitted to a nutritional rehabilitation centre in western India.

methodsA mixed-methods research design was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 40 parents of under-five children were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured knowledge questionnaire and open-ended interview schedules. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis.

resultsThe mean knowledge score was 9.25 ± 0.47 out of 20 (46.25%), indicating poor awareness among parents regarding factors contributing to SAM. Qualitative findings revealed significant gaps in breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding, and overall nutritional awareness. Cultural beliefs and social stigma associated with formula feeding, along with misconceptions regarding complementary foods, were commonly observed. Additionally, financial constraints, low socio-economic status, and limited access to nutritional education emerged as key contributing factors. Parents also reported emotional stress and financial burden during the child's hospitalization. These findings emphasize the need for targeted nutritional education and community-based interventions.

conclusionThe study highlights inadequate parental knowledge and the influence of socio-cultural and economic factors in the development of SAM. There is a critical need for targeted health education programs and community-based interventions to improve awareness, promote appropriate feeding practices, and reduce the burden of SAM.

Indexed as

feeding practiceshealth educationknowledgelived experiencenutritional rehabilitation centreparents of under five childrensevere acute malnutritionundernutrition

Identifiers

PMID42605292
PMCPMC13477508

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.