Abstract:

Background: Worldwide, ten and a half million of age under five die every year, with 98% of these deaths reported to occur in developing countries (UNICEF, 2007). In recognition of the burden of malnutrition among under five children, four of the eight United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are specifically directed towards improving child health outcomes in developing countries [5]. Malnutrition contributes to over one-half of child deaths. In 2005, 39.7% of the children aged below five years were under weight, 46.2% were stunted, 14.5% were wasted and 1.4% were overweight [5].

Methods: Study design used was descriptive cross-sectional study which was done at Nyamagana district in Mwanza region among children aged 6-39 months.

Results: A total of 383 under five children were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 2.8 months. Males were 205 (53.5%) and females were 178 (46.5%). All children (100.00%) were taken care of by their mothers. Analysis showed that out of 383 children only 177 (46.2%) were having malnutrition based on MUAC of less than 13.5 cm.

Conclusion: Malnutrition was significantly associated with parents’ income, occupation, education and child’s status of vitamin A and diarrhea for greater than 1 week.

Recommendations: Education still needed to mothers during RCH clinic based on importance of immunization, balanced diet to their children and community involvement in needed towards factors leading for malnutrition to children and send sick child to hospital for further management.