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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Praveen Kache, MPH; MD cand, School of Medicine, George Washington University, 2300 I street, Washington, DC 20003, 202-422-3227, scholar@gwu.edu and Jonathan Gorstein, PhD, School of Public Health, International Epidemiology, University of Michigan, WHO, UNICEF, 109 Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
Malnutrition in Nepal has been under surveillance since 1975. In the quarter century since then, Nepal has made large strides in reducing other deficiencies (VAD, IDD, IDA), however PEM remains at a high prevalence. This research explores the determinants of PEM in three different ecological zones in Nepal, namely the Mountains, the Hills, and Terrai (plains). Stunting (low height for age z-score) and wasting (low weight for height z-score) are assessed individually. The data for this research was acquired directly from the researchers involved with the 1998 National Nepal Micronutrient Status Survey. To properly characterize the prevalence of malnutrition in each of the thirteen eco-development strata examined, a two-stage cluster sampling procedure was employed. All logistic models were analyzed using Stata. Household parameters (SES, home gardens), maternal and peternal parameters (education, mother’s BMI), and lastly child parameters (infections, birth order) were included in the model. Various parameters were ubiquitously protective like maternal education. Other parameters, however, were more region specific. Having a vegetable garden is only protective in the Mountains region. Mother’s age parturition is only significant in the Terrai region. Any serious examination of malnutrition in the developing world must account for regional differences in order to properly attribute etiologies and ultimately to design targeted interventions. More frequently now, governments are recognizing the importance of tailoring and adapting interventions to local/regional needs. This personal attention encourages the target population to participate in their own health and hence attenuates the longevity and effectiveness thereof.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives
Keywords: Nutrition, Child Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.