Malnutrition Prevalaııce Arnong Children Aged Between 0-6 Years by Using Z-Scores in Primary Health Centre Area of Sehitlik-Diyarbakir and Relation Between Malnutrition and Some Variables

Abstract

This study was carried out to deternıine the growth and developmental status o f the children aged betvveen 0-6 years by using NCHS reference populat ’ıon valıtes in the primary health centre area o f Sehitlik-Diyarbakir. We used Z-scores value to deternıine the malnutrition prevalence. The height and weight o f children were measured by adequate methods, and the measurements were evaluated by using Epi-Info version 6.04 Computer programme. Results: Height fo r age; 47.3% o f the children were found stunted, 29.1% o f them undenveight and 4.4% wasted. While there was no signifıcant difference between age groups according to weight fo r age and weight fo r height (p>0.05), there was significant difference according to height fo r age (p<0.001). Low weightfor age was more prevalent in boys (33.6%) than girls (25.1%), (p<0.05). Number o f the children, order o f the child, socio-economic status o f family had been provenas the factors that effecting malnutrition prevalence once more by this investigation.