Exploring the interplay of nutritional status, feeding practices and acute illness among infants under six months: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Malnutrition is a major public health concern and a major contributor to the worldwide burden of illness and mortality among children, with lower and middle-income countries bearing the heaviest burden. The current study aimed to determine the relationship of nutritional status (severe acute malnutrition, moderate acute malnutrition, stunting, wasting, overweight, and underweight) with feeding practices (e.g., colostrum feeding, breastfeeding type and frequency, and infant age when milk consumption was stopped) and acute illnesses (pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, and upper respiratory tract infection) among six months or younger. A cross-sectional study design and purposive sampling were used to enroll 300 mothers and their seriously unwell among six months or younger infants. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. The outcome of the study showed a higher prevalence of stunting (67.33%) than those of wasting (10%) and overweight (4.66%). Also, the findings showed ceasing milk consumption after 3–6 months can increase the risk of moderate acute malnutrition (odd ratio = 2.37, confidence interval = 1.04–5.39), with female infants having a lower risk of severe acute malnutrition, stunting, and being underweight, while upper respiratory tract infection can increase the risk of severe acute malnutrition in infants. Based on the findings, early nursing and exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by safe complementary foods, are recommended to improve newborn nutritional status.