Impact of Malnutrition on Children Less Than Five Years of Age in Juba Payam (District), Republic of South Sudan

Abstract

In this study, a hospital based cross-sectional study was carried to study the impact of malnutrition on children less than five years of age in Juba payam (District), Republic of South Sudan. The results obtained indicated that 56% children were suffering from chronic malnutrition and 24% children were underweighted and 20% children were suffering from acute malnutrition. The study results showed that children with middle and poor economic status were more stunted as compared to children of high economic status. The results showed that children of mothers with no education were significantly more stunted. According to results obtained regarding the associates of child malnutrition status, 22% had never been breastfeed after their birth due to absent of milk from their mothers and maternal death, while 24% were affected by household size. Moreover 30% were faced by lower incomes. Socio-economic and demographic factors were significantly associated with high prevalence of malnutrition on children less than five years of age.