Integration of immunization and health care services on the nutritional status of children 6-59 months of age in flood-affected areas of South Punjab
Journal Title: Svāsthya: Trends in General Medicine and Public Health - Year 2024, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
Child malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in many parts of the developing world, particularly in South and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The situation is exacerbated by natural disasters, particularly floods, which increase the risk of infectious diseases and worsen the nutrition crisis in vulnerable areas. In Pakistan, the 2018 National Nutrition Survey showed high levels of stunting, underweight and wasting among children under the age of five. This study aimed to determine whether integration of immunization and health services can improve the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in flood-affected areas of South Punjab, Pakistan. This study used a mixed methods approach, combining a cross-sectional observational study with structured interviews. A sample of 384 children aged 6-59 months was selected through convenience sampling in flood-affected areas. Data were collected through surveys and interviews with families, focusing on maternal feeding practices and factors affecting child nutritional status. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS version 25, including frequency distributions for categorical variables and Pearson correlations to determine the association between upper arm circumference (MUAC) and nutritional status, weight, and height. Results showed significant correlations between MUAC and child nutritional status (p=0.035), MUAC and child weight (p=<0.001), and MUAC and child height (p=<0.001). Of the total 384 participants, 60.68% had MUAC more than 12.5 cm, while 39.32% had MUAC less than 12.5 cm. This study confirms the importance of integrating health and immunization services in addressing child malnutrition in disaster-prone areas. Findings show that factors such as parents' socioeconomic status, occupation, education and living environment are significantly related to children's nutritional status.
Authors and Affiliations
Muhammad Tanveer School of Food and Agriculture Science, University of Management and Technology Lahore https://orcid. org/0009-0008-4435-5504
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP748064
- DOI 10.70347/svsthya.v1i2.15
- Views 46
- Downloads 0
The Impact of the Speos Method on Boosting Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates among Postpartum Women
UNICEF reports that every year, 2.6 million infants worldwide die within their first month of life. One of the determining factors is exclusive breastfeeding. WHO emphasizes the importance of exclusive breastfeeding unti...
Antibacterial activity of Apis mellifera bees honey, garlic extracts and their combinations against Salmonella in Wolayta Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
The global emergence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains poses a significant threat to public health, necessitating the development of alternative antimicrobial agents. Although natural substances, such as honey a...
Mpox, HIV Infection, and Genital Skin Disease: Triple Burden, Threats and Challenges from an Epidemiological Perspective
The expansion and transformation of Mpox (MPX) disease alongside HIV and genital skin diseases has led to an increase in global morbidity and mortality in a relatively brief period. These diseases have a similar transmis...
Raising the flag of vigilance on Mpox outbreak in Indonesia: are we prepared? Authors
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has become acutely aware of the devastating impact of infectious diseases on public health, economies, and societies. As we gradually recover from the aftermath of COVID-19...
Integration of immunization and health care services on the nutritional status of children 6-59 months of age in flood-affected areas of South Punjab
Child malnutrition remains a serious public health problem in many parts of the developing world, particularly in South and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The situation is exacerbated by natural disasters, partic...