Factors Associated With Malnutrition Among Children Underfive Years In Koforidua Zongo Sub-District Of The New Juaben Municipality

ABSTRACT Background: Malnutrition presents in many forms including undernutrition which remains a global public health problem. Anthropometric measurements are used to determine underweight, stunting and wasting which are important undernutrition conditions. There have been preventive and curative interventions in Ghana to improve on the nutrition of children under five years old. This notwithstanding, malnutrition continues to ascend in many parts of the country including the Eastern Region of Ghana. This study therefore, sought to identify factors associated with malnutrition among children under five years in the Koforidua Zongo sub district. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The study used 397caregivers with children under five years. Also, thirty (30) health workers were interviewed to identify their knowledge on nutrition at Child Welfare Clinics (CWC). Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the mothers/caregivers that collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, feeding practices, socio-economic status and anthropometry. Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height and were used to classify children as underweight, stunting and wasting respectively. Association between selected factors and nutritional status were assessed using bivariate and multivariate analysis (significant at 95%, α=0.05). Results: The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting among children under five years were 9%, 13% and 6.3% respectively. Female children were more likely to be stunted (52%) and wasted (52%) than their male counterparts. Multivariate analysis showed that mother’s occupation [AOR = 0.51; 95% CI (0.27–0.96); P < 0.036], immunization status of child [AOR = 0.186; 95% CI (0.089–0.389); P < 0.0001] and source of drinking water [AOR = 3.74; 95% CI (1.23–11.37); P < 0.020] were associated with underweight, stunting and wasting. Only a proportion (10.1%) of v children in the study consumed minimum diversity diet. Most of the health workers explained that, poverty, infections or sickness, cultural beliefs, poor feeding practices etc., were the main predictors of under-5 children malnutrition in the Koforidua Zongo sub-district. Conclusion: Consistent studying of malnutrition is vital since it replicates the accumulative upshots of health, nutrition and socio-economic setbacks that may fluctuate over time. Scaling up of nutrition capacity building and training for health care providers and women’s support groups present a potential entry point to improve nutrition status among preschool children