REAL SITUATION OF STUNTING MALNUTRITION IN MONG ETHNIC CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OLD IN TWO COMMUNES, QUAN BA DISTRICT, HA GIANG PROVINCE

Abstract

Children malnutrition is still an important public health problem in Vietnam currently. This study aims to assess the situation of stunting malnutrition in Mong ethnic children under 5 years old and identify some related factors. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 930 Mong ethnic children and 930 mothers in Can Ty and Lung Tam communes, Quan Ba district, Ha Giang province. Results show that the rate of general malnutrition was 50.4%, of which stunting was 45.1%; underweight was 24.1% and wasting was 8.2% and. The rate of stunting malnutrition in children ≤ 12 months was 39.1%; 13 - 24 months was 32.0%; 25 - 36 months 42.3%; 37 - 48 months 50.3% and 49-60 months 62.8%. There is relationship between family economy, mother education level, mother's marriage aged under 18 years old, mother inbreeding marriage, mother gaining < 10 kg during pregnancy, normal delivery, crowed children, breastfeeding time after delivery, weaning time, low birth weight babies, frequent illnesses and not fully vaccinated with stunting malnutrition in Mong ethnic children (p <0.05). Thus, the rate of stunting malnutrition in Mong ethnic children under 5 years old is still high and is associated with many factors related to customs, practices and behaviors.