Prevalence and factors associated with severe undernutrition among under-5 children in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal: a comparative study using multilevel analysis.

ABSTRACT: Despite economic growth and poverty reduction, under-5 child undernutrition is still rampant in South Asian countries. This study explored the prevalence and risk factors of severe undernutrition among under-5 children in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal for comparison using the Composite Index of Severe Anthropometric Failure. We utilised information on under-5 children from recent Demographic Health Surveys. We used multilevel logistic regression models for data analysis. The prevalence of severe undernutrition among under-5 children was around 11.5%, 19.8%, and 12.6% in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal, respectively. Children from the lowest socioeconomic quintile, and children born with low birth weight were key factors associated with severe undernutrition in these countries. The factor

SUBMITTER: Chowdhury MRK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10287716 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature