Prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among under-five children in Gairo district in Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: In Tanzania, under-nutrition is of most public concern as it affects human productivity in several areas like increasing economic costs to families and the country as a whole and impairing learning. Therefore this study aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among under-five children in Gairo district, Morogoro. Findings from the study will help policymakers, and local and international organizations in designing appropriate nutrition policies and interventions to address undernutrition in rural areas. Methods: A household-based cross-sectional study was employed involving 300 under-five children with their mothers/caretakers in three wards in Gairo district. A structured questionnaire was used and anthropometric measurements were performed using standard procedures. Odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value at