NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES AND ANEMIA AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS: EVIDENCE FROM DISTRICT KARAK, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nutritional deficiencies and anemia constitute major public health challenges adversely affecting children under five years of age, contributing to increased morbidity, developmental delays, and diminished cognitive outcomes. District Karak, situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, shares many of the socioeconomic vulnerabilities that perpetuate undernutrition across the province, yet targeted epidemiological data from this region remain limited. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies and anemia and to examine their association with gender in children under five years of age in District Karak, KPK. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022 at the Department of Paediatrics, District Headquarters Teaching Hospital, Karak, KPK. Following ethical approval, 310 children under five years of age of both genders were enrolled using purposive sampling. Children already diagnosed with malnutrition or anemia and undergoing treatment were excluded. Sociodemographic data were collected, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was measured using Shakir's tape. Three millilitres of venous blood were drawn to assess hematological parameters. Prevalence was expressed as frequencies and percentages. The chi-square test assessed the association of nutritional deficiencies and anemia with gender, and the independent sample t-test compared hematological parameters between nutritionally deficient and well-nourished children. RESULTS: Of 310 participants, 207 (66.8%) were identified as nutritionally deficient based on MUAC measurements. Children aged 12–23 months constituted the most severely affected age group. Anemia was present in 84.5% of children. Nutritionally deficient children had significantly lower hemoglobin levels compared to their well-nourished counterparts (p-value = 0.002). No statistically significant gender-based differences in the prevalence of nutritional deficiency or anemia were observed. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of nutritional deficiencies and anemia is alarmingly elevated among children under five years in District Karak, KPK. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions, community-based health education, and improved healthcare access within the district.