Prevalence and determinants of protein energy malnutrition among under five children in slums of Kannauj district

Introduction: Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in children is a leading public health problem in developing countries like India and is a direct or indirect cause of most of infant and child morbidity and mortality. Objective: To study the prevalence and determinants of protein energy malnutrition among under five children of Kannauj district. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted among children in the age group 0-60 months in the slums of Kannauj district. The statistical tools used for analysis were percentages, Pearson's Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of PEM in the study population was found to be 59.1%. The study revealed a significant association of age (OR=0.438), timing initiation of breast feeding (OR=0.682), colostrum feeding (OR=0.364), practice of breast feeding (OR=3.611) and initiation of complementary feeding at 6 months (OR=2.651) were significantly associated with PEM. Conclusion: The present study emphasizes the need to correct behavioural factors like breast feeding practices among Indian mothers to bring down the problem of PEM in under five children.