Are pre-school girls more likely to be under-nourished in rural Thatta, Pakistan?-a cross-sectional study

International Journal for Equity in Health

Wilbur C. Hadden¹  Rozina Nuruddin¹ 

[1] Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan

关键词: WHO growth reference;    Pakistan;    Under-nutrition;    Gender;    Preschool children;   

Others  :  1235446
DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-015-0287-3

 received in 2015-07-30, accepted in 2015-12-15,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Pakistan ranks third lowest on a global gender index (2013) and 13 ^thhighest on the prevalence of underweight among under-five children (2010). Through this population-based study, we examined gender differentials in the prevalence of stunting, wasting and under-weight defined by World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Standard among rural pre-school Pakistani children.

Methods

We performed secondary analysis of data collected through a cross-sectional survey of Thatta district during 1992-93. Prevalence ratios were calculated for 1051 children aged 0-35 months from 95 randomly selected villages of rural Pakistan using a clustered adjusted log binomial model. Level 1 variables included child and household characteristics and level 2 included village characteristics.

Results

Based on the new WHO growth reference, a major proportion of children were stunted (52.9 %), wasted (22.9 %) and under-weight (46.5 %). In a two-level model, compared to boys, girls had significantly greater risk of stunting [Prevalence Ratio (PR) (95 % C.I.) = 1.18 (1.03, 1.36)] and under-weight [P.R. (95 % C.I.) 1.14 (1.03, 1.26)], after adjustment of maternal literacy and village variables. Risk of wasting did not differ with gender [P.R. (95 % C.I.) = 1.04 (0.99, 1.15)]. Mothers of stunted and underweight children were respectively, 21 and 20 % more likely to be illiterate than those of normally nourished children. Sick children were at 16 % greater risk of wasting than those not reported ill.

Conclusion

Greater prevalence of stunting and under-weight among girls suggests adoption of a gender sensitive approach in nutritional intervention programmes. Prompt management of childhood illnesses may reduce prevalence of wasting. Better literacy among rural mothers may reduce prevalence of stunting and under-weight. Whether gender differences in nutrition status are an underlying pathway for excessive girl mortality in rural Thatta needs further examination.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Nuruddin and Hadden.

【 图 表 】

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1.

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