Exploring the factors associated with undernutrition among 6–59 months children residing in slum areas of the south-western region, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the undernutrition and its associated factors among children aged 6–59 months residing in slum areas of southwestern Bangladesh. A validated administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 600 slum children. Logistic regression models were employed to identify the factors associated with undernutrition. The prevalence of underweight, stunted, and wasted were 34.5%, 31.3%, and 26.2%, respectively. The odds of undernutrition were higher in 6–23-month-olds and mothers had ≥ 3 under-five children. Maternal education, timely complementary feeding, latrine type, and worm infestation were significantly associated with the degrees of undernutrition.

KEYWORDS:

• Bangladesh
• hygiene and sanitation
• Southwestern region
• slum children
• undernutrition

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

Data are available upon reasonable request. Data are available from the corresponding author.