Prevalence of Nutritional Stunting and its Associated Factors among Children Under Two Years at Sohag Governorate

Abstract

Stunting is a key marker of chronic under-nutrition with vast prevalence across all developing regions. Aim: To determine the prevalence of nutritional stunting and its associated factors among children under two years at Sohag Governorate. Methods: Cross sectional study. Research design: Descriptive research design. Setting: Maternal and Child Health centers at Sohag Governorate. Sample: Involved 350 children under two years. Tools: Tool (1): Part (1): Socio-demographic characteristics; Part (2): Medical and obstetrical history of mothers; Part (3): Medical history of the child. Part (4): Mothers' knowledge about nutritional stunting. Tool (2): Included anthropometric measurements of children. Tool (3): Was included child feeding practices as reported by their mothers. Results: Showed that18.6%, 16.3% and 26.6%of children were stunted, underweight and wasted respectively. Logistic regression analysis model showed that significant predictors of stunting among the included children were gender, mothers' occupation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: A sizable portion of children under two years at Sohag are stunted and wasted. Recommendations: Health education program about nutritional stunting and its hazards is to be constructed and recommended to increase awareness of mothers.