International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

Number 8/3, 2019

74-85
Drivers of Stunting Among 0-23 Months Old Filipino Children Included in the 2003 and 2011 National Nutrition Survey

Authors: Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Patricia Isabel Gayya-Amita, Mario V. Capanzana

Abstract

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This study aims to evaluate household and individual level drivers of stunting among Filipino children aged 0-23 months in the 2003 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) and identified which factors pushed these same children to or out of stunting in middle childhood (8-9 years old) in 2011 Updating National Nutrition Survey (UNNS). All children aged 0-23 months in 2003 NNS were tracked if they're still in 2011 UNNS by matching identifiers: region, province, municipality/city, name, and birthdate. There are 290 children included in both surveys. Children were categorized as: stunted in 2003 but not in 2011 (catch-up); stunted in 2003 & 2011 (persistently stunted); stunted in 2011 but not in 2003 (stunted later). The prevalence of stunting increased from 17.2% in 2003 to 35.2% in 2011. About 22.1% became stunted later; persistently stunted (13.1%); catch-up (4.1%). The individual-level factors that contributed towards persistent stunting are older age onset of stunting, underweight, and a <2 years birth interval; while the household level factors are those with ≥ 5 dependents, and a higher number of under-fives in the family. Households usage of water-sealed toilets and availability of electricity decrease the odds of persistent stunting and stunting later. No significant factors were found on what moves a child out of stunting. Living in shanties (Huts) pushed a normal child to be stunted in 2011. This study reflects the strong influence of both individual and household factors on stunting. These results could be useful in crafting area and problem-specific interventions

86-92
Role of Regular ANC Visits and Feeding Practices in Preventing Malnutrition in Children Under Five Years Old

Authors: Issayas Ghirmay Melake, Isaias Tesfu Mirach, Hagos Andom

Abstract

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Introduction:Malnutrition has a significant impact on global disease for the majority of children worldwide, by being responsible for almost half of the deaths of children under the age of five especially in the developing countries including Eritrea. However, there is no clear information on the role of antenatal care and feeding practices in preventing malnutrition. Therefore, assessing the role of antenatal care visit and feeding practices in preventing malnutrition is ofvital importance.Objective:To assess the role of regular ANC visit and feeding practices in preventing malnutrition among children aged 0-59 months, who visited Orotta National Pediatric Referral Hospital from 31st August – 30th September, 2016.Methodology:A cross-sectional, Hospital based study was carried out. Data were collected from mothers (caretakers) using semi-structured questionnaire developed for the purpose. Moreover, anthropometric measurement of the subjects was taken. Data was and entered to the computer and analyzed using SPSS version 20 and p-value <0.05 at 95%CI was considered as statistically significant. Results: The main associated factors of stunting were found to be the frequency of breastfeeding and antenatal care visit. Underweight was associated with weaning of breastfeeding. Frequency of breastfeeding and weaning of breastfeeding were the only variables associated with wasting.Conclusion and Recommendation:Malnutrition remains a major health problem among children aged 0-59 months. Hence, interventions regarding regular antenatal care visits and feeding practices are highly suggested to be given special attention.

93-102
Determinants of Infant Mortality in Bangladesh: A Nationally Surveyed Data Analysis

Authors: Azizur Rahman, Md. Sazedur Rahman, Md. Ashfikur Rahman

Abstract

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Background:It is well establishedthat improving human health has direct obvious payoff on enhancing life expectancy along with economic growth. Infant mortality deliberately used to understand a countries overall public health status particularly child bearing mothers. But the prevalence of child mortality continues to be a prime public health concerns in Bangladesh. This study aims to investigate the impact of some geospatial, socioeconomic, demographic and health factors on infant mortality in Bangladesh. Methods:The study modeled infant mortality (aged 0-11 months) as the categorical dependent variable using 11 selected covariates from the 2014 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS-2014) dataset. The Pearson-Chi square test and Binary Logistic Regression methods were utilized for the bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results:All the selected covariates were significantly associated with infant mortality in bivariate analysis. Theresults of the logistic regression revealed that illiterate father, household without toilet facility or having hanging toilet, multiple birth and small size at birth appeared at the significant risk factors for infant mortality. In contrast, receiving vitamin A dose and visiting in antenatal care revealed as protective factor for infant deaths. Conclusion:This study is uniquely addressed some several determinants which are the immediate cause of infant deaths. This evidence based empirical study suggests that more attention needs regarding to eliminate all kinds of child mortality in Bangladesh along with infant mortality

103-108
Effect of Breastfeeding and Serum Zinc Levels on Childhood Recurrent Tonsillopharyngitis

Authors: Hayrunnisa Bekis Bozkurt

Abstract

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Aim: To evaluate serum zinc levels and breast milk intake in pediatric patients with recurrent tonsillopharyngitisMaterial Method: 40 pediatric patients who were admitted to our polyclinics with the diagnosis of tonsillopharyngitis diagnosed as ≥ 7 times a year were included in Group 1; 40 healthy children who applied to the outpatient clinic for routine control in the same period were defined as Group 2. Serum zinc, blood parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP) values were studied from all patients. Patient complaints, breastfeeding time, and family history were questioned.Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of Hemaoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct), white blood cell count(WBC), platelet count(Plt), mean platelet volume(MPV) and CRP values were significantly higher in the patient group (p=0.001).Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2 (p=0.000; p <0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the duration of breastfeeding (p=0.086; p> 0.05).Conclusion: Our study showed that zinc deficiency may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of recurrent tonsillopharyngitis. Zinc supplementation may be recommended for children with recurrent tonsillopharyngitisThere is a need for further studies to be done in larger population related to zinc levels in mother's milk content, serum zinc levels in mothers and zinc deficiency