European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION’S AMONG CHILDREN UNDER-FIVE YEARS AT EL-OBEID SPECIALIZED PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL, NORTH KORDOFAN, SUDAN (2021 TO 2023).

Hiba A. A. Abdallah*, Ekram Adam Eldoom, Mirghani Elnager Ahmed, Halima B.G. Tigaidi and Musa A. O. Mohammed

ABSTRACT

Background: Malnutrition is still an important problem among children under-five years in El Obeid city, and it
is remain one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality among children. This study aimed to identify
the prevalence of malnutrition’s among children under 5 years at El-Obeid Specialized Pediatric Hospital, North
Kordofan, Sudan, from April 2021 to October 2023. Methodology: An institutional cross-sectional descriptive
analytical study, included 384 of under-five children aged 6-59 months who were selected using simple random
sampling technique was implemented. Data collection was focused on anthropometric tests (MUAC) for children
and using structured questionnaire for mothers of children. Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical
Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and chi-square test. Result: The results indicated that (38.8%) of
children had suffered from malnutrition, (22.1% of them were females). (19.3%) of mothers were illiterate.
Majority of malnourished children 98 (25.5%) eat two meals per day. There is statistical significant correlation
between the mother’s educational levels, number of meals eaten by child per day, exclusive breastfeeding and
malnutrition statuses (p-value= 0.000), (p-value = 0.000) and (p-value = 0.008), respectively. Conclusion: There
is high prevalence rate of malnutrition among children under 5 years in El-Obeid City. The study recommended
that: raising awareness of mothers about importance of breast feeding for infant to improve nutritional status of
their children, encourage complementary feeding and begin it in right age according to WHO recommendations
and better maternal education are needed.

Keywords: Malnutrion, breast feeding, children under- five, MUAC, North Kordofan- Sudan.