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Malnutrition in Pre-school Children across Different Geographic Areas and Socio-Demographic Groups in Ghana

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Abstract

Objective Malnutrition in children pervades all aspects of their health, growth, cognitive and social development and can lead to irreversible and lifelong effects. We examine the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition in children under 5 in the Ghanaian population. Methods Using data from the latest available Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), we estimated and compared prevalence of malnutrition in children among the different subgroups of the population. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify potential factors associated with childhood malnutrition in Ghana. Results Overall, 35.6 % (95 % CI: 33.6, 37.6) of Ghanaian children under 5 years of age suffer from some form of malnutrition. Specifically, 27.5 % (95 % CI: 25.1, 28.7), 13.8 % (95 % CI: 12.5, 15.3), 8.9 % (95 % CI: 7.8, 10.2) were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. Results from the logistic regression indicate that gender and age of the child, educational and nutritional status of the mother, and financial status of the household are risk factors associated with childhood malnutrition in Ghana. Conclusions for Practice In view of the observed high rate of malnutrition among Ghanaian children despite the interventions that have been in place since the 1990s, there is a need for increased awareness and improved targeted interventions as well as knowledge translation tools including extensive education on infant and young child feeding practices.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) for providing us with the data for this study. We also thank ICF International for implementing the MEASURE DHS and making the data available for public use. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the MEASURE DHS project. The views expressed in this publication do not reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development, the United States Government, Macro International Inc., or the institutions with which the authors are affiliated.

Authors’ Contributions

JEE participated in the conception of the study, performed the statistical analysis and drafted the first version of the manuscript. CA acquired the data and participated in the critical review of the manuscript. JB participated in the critical review of the manuscript. JSH participated in the conception of the study, provided methodological guidance, supervised the analysis and participated in drafting the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

    J. E. Ewusie, J. Beyene & J. S. Hamid

  2. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

    J. Beyene & J. S. Hamid

  3. Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

    C. Ahiadeke

  4. Center for Research and Review, Accra, Ghana

    C. Ahiadeke

  5. Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada

    J. S. Hamid

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  1. J. E. Ewusie
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  2. J. Beyene
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  3. C. Ahiadeke
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  4. J. S. Hamid
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Correspondence to J. S. Hamid.

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Ewusie, J.E., Beyene, J., Ahiadeke, C. et al. Malnutrition in Pre-school Children across Different Geographic Areas and Socio-Demographic Groups in Ghana. Matern Child Health J 21, 797–808 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2173-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2173-z

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