GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF NUTRITION DEFICIENCY AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD IN THE WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN

The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition has been a ‎prudent decrease in all malnutrition levels. ‎However، it is one of the important ‎health problems in the west Azerbaijan province. In this study we determine ‎the prevalence of malnutrition among children less than 5 years and identify ‎hot points of using Geographic Information System in West Azerbaijan ‎province. ‎

In cross-sectional study based on a cluster sampling، weight and height of ‎‎3341 children between 0-59 months ‎old in West Azerbaijan province in 2008 year were gathered. ‎Z scores calculated for three indicators: height for age، weight ‎for height and weight for age ‎. Geographical distribution pattern of underweight، stunting، and wasting indicators‎ in ‎1‎‎4‎ districts of the ‎province depicted by Geographical Information System (ARC GIS 9. 3) software. ‎

8. 7%، 7. 5% and 4. 3 % of the children aged less than five years suffered from stunting، wasting، and underweight respectively; ‎the prevalence of malnutrition indexes varies at districts level of this province. The prevalence of ‎stunting (30. 5%) and wasting (9. 6%) were highest among piranshahr and sardasht children ‎respectively. The prevalence of stunting significantly higher among rural vs urban ‎children (P<0. 05)، although there is no significant difference between wasting and underweight ‎among rural vs urban areas (P>0. 05) ‎. ‎

The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition was twofold higher ‎than mean national level among ‎children under five years old; piranshar district were classified as high prevalence of malnutrition (eight fold of ‎natial level). It appears that subjective strategies are required to improve the nutritional and ‎health، socioeconomic ‎indicators in this province. ‎