| dc.description.abstract | This study employs secondary data from UBOS (2016) to investigate the factors influencing malnutrition among children aged 0-5 years in the central region. Descriptive analysis indicates that 21.09% of these children were stunted, 7.12% were underweight, and 1.96% were wasted, with an overall malnutrition prevalence of 68.08%. Demographically, the majority of respondents were females residing in rural areas with primary education. Notably, 46.44% hailed from the wealthiest households, 83.88% used mosquito nets, and 95.23% had access to toilet facilities.
Bivariate analysis highlights significant associations between malnutrition and wealth status, residence, distance to health facilities, while factors like sleeping under mosquito nets, child sex, and maternal education showed no significant links.
Multivariate analysis reveals that access to safe drinking water significantly reduces the odds of malnutrition (odds ratio: 0.586). Moreover, households with more children under five experienced lower malnutrition odds. Child sex and distance to health facilities also exert significant effects, with increased malnutrition odds for those with greater healthcare distance (odds ratio: 1.316).
In conclusion, this study underscores the high prevalence of malnutrition among central region children. Key determinants include wealth status, residence, access to safe drinking water, and proximity to health facilities. Addressing these factors is vital to combat malnutrition among children aged 0-5 years in this region. | en_US |
