REVEALING THE FACTORS CAUSING MALNUTRITION IN INFANTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to get knowledge about the diet routines of low weight emaciated children having age less than five years. Study Design: Cross-sectional description base study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Pediatric ward of Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Rawalpindi for the duration of six months from March, 2018 to August, 2018. Materials and Methods: A total number of 151 children were selected for the study that were having low body weight and looked emaciated. Non-probability convenient method was used for the selection and their eating routines were decided. The data was collected through already designed questionnaire after taking parents of the children into confidence. SPSS-16 was used to analyze the gathered information. Different variables were calculated through descriptive statistics. Weighing machines and measuring tapes were used during the information gathering process. Results: The current study consists of a total of 151 children having age < 5 years. Percentage of males and females was as 64.2 % (97) and 35.8% (54) respectively, urban and rural areas as 19.2% and 80.8% accordingly; school going and non-school going as 6.60% respectively. With 54% of highest ratio, occupation of children’s fathers was laborer and mothers were housewife of 95.4% emaciated children. 62.9% mothers were illiterate and 62.3% mothers fully breast fed their infants. 51% babies were fed through feeder bottle. Chronic disease was not found in a large number of children. Vaccination was carried out in 85% children and no signs of measles were observed in the children. Conclusion:Subsequently studying the malnourishment amongst kids having age of < 5 years by means of various variables found that basic reasons of malnutrition is insignificant eating routines as unfamiliarity about prominence of absolute breast feeding, early termination of breast feeding, formula milk usage, illiteracy of parents, lack of essential nutrients in their food which prevent the body functioning normally and poverty. Keywords: Breastfeeding, Undernutrition, Malnutrition, Dietary habits, Children < 5 years