Determinants of Malnutrition of the Rohingya Refugee Children Living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Abstract

Malnutrition is a severe problem of the Rohingya children in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the driving factors of malnutrition of the children (N=500) of Myanmar Refugee living in Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The children were measured for height, weight, MUAC (Mid Upper Arm Circumference) and Z-score while their parents were interviewed for the socio-demographic, dietary, sanitation and health information. Results indicated that, the difference between the age of father and mother in Rohingya people was substantially high. The gradually increasing trends of the age of father and mother were significantly associated with the similar propensity of the MUAC of the children. As the status of nutrition improved from SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) to Normal, there was a subsequent fall off for the parity score of mother exhibiting overall best parity at 4.9. Similarly, chronological drop off in the family size evolved surprisingly better nutritional status of the children measured in terms of MUAC. Similar to the age of the parents, progression in the expanding trends of the age, height and weight of the children, gradually ruled out their susceptibility towards malnutrition. Better educational qualification of the parents, vividly precipitated improved MUAC in the children. There was a strong and positive significant relationship between father and mother age (r=0.81; P<0.05), parity and mother age (r=0.77; P<0.05), parity and family size (r=0.89; P<0.05) and child age and height (r=0.84; P<0.05). The Rohingya children who used to put on clean dress, bath regularly, cut nail properly, have footwear and toothbrush exhibited markedly better (P<0.001) MUAC compared to those children who did not have those practices. Similarly, children having practices of hand wash prior to eat, habit of not eating from the floor and use of drinking water from the tube well had improved MUAC compared to those who ignored them. Use of sanitary latrine compared to throwing feces in the hole or letting it open was tightly pertinent to better MUAC. Frequency of 7-8 times breastfeeding a day deliberately pushed forward elevated MUAC. In all respects, normal children pursued the highest MUAC compared to MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition) or SAM. Therefore, better hygiene, sanitation, immunization, nutrition and health practices are recommended to boost up the nutrition status of the refugee Rohingya children.