Role of Micro and Macro Nutrients in Malnourished Children Attending Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Divisional Head Quarter Hospital, Dera Murad Jamali, Balochistan

. Abstract Background: Balochistan continues to have a high prevalence of acute malnutrition. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of micro and macro nutrients in malnourished children attending Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Divisional Head Quarter Hospital, Dera Murad Jamali, Balochistan. Materials and Methods : It was hospital based longitudinal-sectional study, among patients admitted to the outpatient department. At first stage data was collected through questionnaire. The study includes patients aging 2-5 years attending OPD of MSF Dera Murad Jamali. Results: At enrolment there were 287(n) children aging between 2 to 5 years. 182(63.41%) were 2 years old, 69(24%) were 3 years old. Among 287 children 148 were male (51.6%), 139 were female (48.4%). The immunization status showed that139 children (48.44%) had been immunized while majority 148 (51.56%) had not been immunized. Among 192 children whose family monthly income was <15000 rupees, 102(33.79%) had excellent dietary practices and 90(33.1%) had unsatisfactory dietary practices. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is need to improve mother’s knowledge regarding healthy eating, hygiene, complementary feeding and breastfeeding etc. Contributing factors of malnutrition among children were illiteracy, poverty, large family size, un-immunization, inadequate hygiene, and dietary practices.