Risk factors for undernutrition in under-five children living in a migrant populated area of South Delhi

Prevalence of undernutrition among migrant, refugee, internally displaced children and children of migrated parents in lower-middle-income countries: A meta-analysis of published studies from last twelve years

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This review aims to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition among migrants, refugees, internally displaced children, and children of migrated parents living in lower-middle-income countries.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, Science-Direct, CINAHL-Plus, & Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed evidence published between January 2010 to March 2023. Two researchers independently examined the studies and retrieved the data. The internal and external validity of the studies was assessed using the NIH quality assessment tool, and a checklist adapted from Downs & Black, Bracht & Glass, and Del Siegle's guidelines. A random effect model was chosen to pool the estimates. Subgroup analysis, Meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis were done to explore the source of heterogeneity and the robustness of estimates.

RESULTS

Among the 1978 records initially searched, 21 studies were selected for analysis. The pooled prevalence estimates for stunting, wasting, and underweight were estimated to be 29.39% (Confidence Interval [CI] 21.69-37.73; I2 99%; p < 0.01), 12.76% (CI 7.84-18.68; I2 99%; P < 0.01), and 24.05% (CI 16.17-32.94; I2 100%; p < 0.001) respectively. Among different WHO regions, all three undernutrition estimates were higher in LMICs belonging to the Southeast Asian region (Stunting 37.62%; wasting 14.28% and underweight 31.24%). Undernutrition among migrant Indian children was 43.55%, 18.71%, and 37.45% respectively. High heterogeneity was noted across all estimates with I2-value >90%. Sensitivity analysis across indicators showed the stability of our estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of undernutrition, particularly wasting was high among migrant/refugee children living in lower-middle-income countries. Measures should be taken to strengthen the government-subsidized public food distribution system, increase healthcare outreach, and ensure public health insurance coverage among the migrant population.

A Qualitative Exploration on Perceived Socio-Cultural Factors Contributing to Undernutrition Among Under-Fives in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Objective: Under nutrition especially among under-fives is a major public health challenge in Tanzania. However, the contribution of cultural practices to child under nutrition is often overlooked. This study aimed to explore the perceived socio-cultural factors contributing to the persisting under nutrition among under-fives in Tanzania. Methods: The study applied focus group discussion (FDGs) with forty practitioners to examine the sociocultural factors contributing to under nutrition during early childhood. The study participants were purposively selected and thematic analysis was used to identify themes within the data. Results: This study revealed that, under nutrition for under-fives is caused by a number of socio-cultural factors including existence of gender inequality related to dietary practices and qualities, women's excessive workload, patriarchy social-norm, excessive alcohol use and cultural taboos prohibiting women and girls from eating certain types of nutrient dense foods. Conclusion: The study highlights the multiplicity of factors including socio-cultural perspectives contributing to under nutrition among under-fives, and calls for a concerted efforts in developing and implementing issue-specific and culturally sensitive strategies towards elimination of child under nutrition.

Undernutrition and associated factors among children 1-5 years of age in rural area of Haryana, India: A community based cross-sectional study

Background:

Children under five years of age are most vulnerable to the vicious cycles of malnutrition, disease/infection and resultant disability all of which influence the present condition of a child at the microlevel and the future human resource development of the nation at the macrolevel.

Aim:

The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of undernutrition among under-five children; and to determine the associated factors.

Methods:

All 112 Anganwadi Centres in block Lakhan Majra were enlisted and 30 Anganwadi Centres were selected by adopting systematic random sampling. From each selected Anganwadi Centre, 20 children of 15 years of age group were selected by simple random sampling, thus, a sample of 600 children was included in the study.

Results:

Overall prevalence of undernutrition in our study was found as follows: wasted 18.4%; underweight 38.3%; stunted 41.3%. Mothers who had four or more ANC visits and IFA intake for 100 or more days had lower prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight than the mothers with three or less ANC visits and inadequate IFA intake. Children with a history of pre-lacteal feeding had higher prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting than the children with no history of pre-lacteal feeding.

Conclusion:

Every endeavor should be made to combat the outcomes of undernutrition through multipronged approach such as growth monitoring, nutritional supplementation, etc., Also, present study findings reinforce the importance of proper infant and child feeding practices and appropriate maternal care in prevention of childhood undernutrition.