Prevalence and some factors influencing growth retardation of children of 6 months to 3 years in low income families in Kotte area.

Abstract

The prevalence and factors influencing growth retardation of children of six month to three years among low income families in Kotte MOH area were studied. Data collected by anthropometry were analyzed to find the prevalence of growth retardation. The results were presented acceding to Water low and Gomez classification. The prevalence of growth retardation according to Water low classification was 44 per cent. This in terms of wasting was 29 per cent, stunting 9 per cent and concurrent stunting and wasting 6 per cent. According to Gomez's classification the prevalence of growth retardation was 41 per cent. The association between certain factors and growth retardation were studied. Wasting was found to be associated with maternal /caretaker's knowledge on growth and nutrition knowledge and also with short birth interval. There associations were statistically significant. Stunting was shown to be significantly associated with maternal/caretaker's knowledge on growth and nutrition and age of the child. None of the other factors studied such as sex of the child parents education, parents literacy, breast feeding, introduction of time of complementary feeding, birth weight, birth order, Infections, source of water supply, latrine facilities did not show any significant association with any type of malnutrition