Factors Associated with Chronic Child Malnutrition in Peru

Melanie Trujillo-Roldan; Luis Roldán-Arbieto; Jesus E. Talavera; Miguel A Perez; Lucy E. Correa López; Jhony De La Cruz-Vargas

doi:10.19136/hs.a21n2.4862

Autores/as

Melanie Trujillo-Roldan Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Biomédicas (INICIB), Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma. Lima, Perú.
Luis Roldán-Arbieto Escuela de Postgrado en Gestión Pública de la Universidad Tecnológica del Perú. Lima, Perú https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3779-5404
Jesús E. Talavera Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Biomédicas (INICIB), Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma. Lima, Perú https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0267-2105
Miguel A Perez Universidad Estatal de California, Fresno, Salud Pública. EE.UU https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5234-9568
Lucy E. Correa López Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Biomédicas (INICIB), Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma. Lima, Perú https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7892-4391
Jhony De La Cruz-Vargas Instituto de Investigación de Ciencias Biomédicas (INICIB), Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma. Lima, Perú

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19136/hs.a21n2.4862

Resumen

Abstract

Objective: To investigate factors associated with chronic malnutrition among children aged five and under in Peru.
Materials and Methods: Secondary data analysis based on the Peruvian 2018 Demographic and Family Health Survey.
Results: Child’s age (PR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.009 to 1.015) and living in a rural area (PR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.54) were
associated with a higher risk of chronic malnutrition in the sample. Educational level, wealth index, and not belonging to the publicly funded Comedor Popular nutrition program, were identified as protective factors to chronic malnutrition.
Conclusion: Being under five and living in a rural area was associated with an increased risk of chronic malnutrition in children residing in Peru. A higher wealth index and mother’s level of education decrease the chances of chronic alnutrition in children under five years of age.

Keywords: Malnutrition; Child, Preschool; Infant; Risk factors,
Public health