INFANT FEEDING AND CHILDREN S AND WOMEN S NUTRITIONAL STATUS

Transcription

1 INFANT FEEDING AND CHILDREN S AND WOMEN S NUTRITIONAL STATUS 10 The 2001 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) included questions about the nutritional status and their mothers, including infant feeding practices, duration and intensity breastfeeding, the types complementary foods given, and whether or not a bottle with a nipple was used. In addition, information on vitamin A supplementation was collected for. Mothers were also asked about their intake iron/folic acid tablets during pregnancy and vitamin A supplements during the two months after a pregnancy. To assess the nutritional status all under the age five and women age 15-49, anthropometric (height and weight) data were also collected. Infant feeding practices affect the health both the mother and her child. They are important determinants s nutritional status and many studies have shown that breastfeeding has beneficial effects on the nutritional status, morbidity, and mortality young. Breastfeeding is also associated with longer periods postpartum amenorrhea, which in turn leads to longer birth intervals and lower fertility levels. A longer birth interval allows mothers to recover fully before the next pregnancy and averts maternal depletion, which may follow births that are too closely spaced. Maternal nutritional status has important implications for the health the mother as well as that her. A woman who is in poor nutritional health has a greater risk having an adverse pregnancy outcome and is more likely to give birth to underweight babies INITIATION OF BREASTFEEDING Table 10.1 shows the percentage born in the five years before the survey according to breastfeeding status and the timing initial breastfeeding, by selected background characteristics. Breastfeeding is nearly universal in Nepal, with 98 percent born in the five years preceding the survey having been breastfed at some time. The 1996 NFHS showed similar results on the percentage breastfed. Due to the large percentage ever breastfed, differentials by background characteristics are small. Early initiation breastfeeding is beneficial for both mothers and. Early suckling benefits mothers because it stimulates the release a hormone that helps the uterus to contract. The first breast milk is important for babies because it contains colostrum, which is highly nutritious and rich in antibodies that protect the newborn from diseases. The early initiation breastfeeding also increases the bond between mother and child. Data from the 2001 NDHS indicate that nearly one in three born in the five years preceding the survey are breastfed within one hour birth. It is encouraging to note that the percentage breastfed within one hour birth has nearly doubled over the last five years; similar data collected in the 1996 NFHS showed this percentage to be 18. Comparable data collected in the 1991 NFHS showed that 22 percent were breastfed within one hour birth (Ministry Health, 1993). Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 171

2 Table 10.1 Initial breastfeeding Percentage born in the five years preceding the survey who were ever breastfed, and among ever breastfed, percentage who started breastfeeding within one hour and within one day birth, percentage who received a prelacteal feed, and percentage who received the first milk, by background characteristics, Nepal 2001 Background characteristic Percentage ever breastfed Percentage who started breastfeeding: Within 1 hour birth Within 1 day birth 1 Percentage who received a prelacteal feed 2 Percentage who received the first milk ever breastfed Sex Male , ,373 Female , ,467 Residence Urban Rural , ,404 Ecological zone Mountain Hill , ,833 Terai , ,479 Development region Eastern , ,566 Central , ,254 Western , ,247 Mid-western , ,034 Far-western Subregion Eastern Mountain Central Mountain Western Mountain Eastern Hill Central Hill Western Hill Mid-western Hill Far-western Hill Eastern Terai Central Terai , ,396 Western Terai Mid-western Terai Far-western Terai Mother's education No education , ,072 Primary Some secondary SLC and above Assistance at delivery Traditional birth attendant , ,594 Health pressional Other , ,775 No one Place delivery Health facility At home , ,084 Other Total , ,840 Note: Total includes 5 for whom information on assistance at delivery is missing and 6 for whom information on place delivery is missing who are not shown separately. Table is based on all births whether the are living or dead at the time interview. SLC = School Leaving Certificate 1 Includes who started breastfeeding within one hour birth. 2 Children given something other than breast milk during the first three days life before the mother started breastfeeding regularly. 3 Doctor, nurse/auxiliary nurse midwife, health assistant/auxiliary health worker, maternal child health worker, village health worker. 172 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

3 Two out three babies are breastfed within one day birth, a slight improvement over the last five years, from 60 percent in The majority receive colostrum 69 percent are given the first milk. There is little difference in the timing initial breastfeeding by sex the child. However, more urban are breastfed within one hour birth and within one day birth than rural. Still, a higher proportion in urban areas do not receive the first milk, compared with rural. Children living in the terai are least likely to be breastfed immediately after birth or within one day birth, compared with living in the mountain and hill zones Nepal. This was also evident from data collected in the 1996 NFHS. Children from the Mid-western development region are most likely to be breastfed immediately after birth. Nearly all in the Far-western development region are breastfed within one day birth. Women who have completed their SLC are slightly more likely to initiate breastfeeding within one hour and one day birth than women who have lower levels education. Surprisingly, these educated women are less likely to give the first milk to their. There is a difference in the timing initial breastfeeding between delivered by medically trained personnel and delivered by nonmedical personnel. Children delivered by a traditional birth attendant are least likely to be breastfed within one hour and one day birth. These are also least likely to receive the first milk. Children delivered in a health facility are more likely than delivered at home to be breastfed within one hour birth and within one day birth, and these are also more likely to receive the first milk. Prelacteal feeds, that is, giving something other than breast milk to newborns before the mother s milk flows regularly, are discouraged because they are less nutritious than breast milk, are more susceptible to contamination, and discourage suckling. Two-fifths the born in the five years preceding the survey were given prelacteal feeds. The data indicate that prelacteal feeds are more common in the terai, where two in three receive them, compared with about one in seven living in the mountain and hill zones. Three-fifths living in the Central development region received prelacteal feeds, compared with only 7 percent living in the Far-western region. Prelacteal feeds are also more common among whose births were attended by a TBA than other births BREASTFEEDING STATUS BY AGE OF THE CHILD Children who received only breast milk in the 24 hours before the survey are defined as being exclusively breastfed, and who are fully breastfed receive only plain water in addition to breast milk. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months a child s life because breast milk is uncontaminated and contains all the nutrients needed by in the first few months life. In addition, the mother s antibodies in breast milk provide immunity to. Early complementary feeding is discouraged for several reasons. First, it exposes infants to pathogens and increases their risk infection, especially diarrheal disease. Second, it decreases infants intake breast milk and therefore suckling, which reduces breast milk production. Third, in a harsh socioeconomic environment, supplementary food is ten nutritionally inferior. Information on feeding was obtained by asking mothers about the current breastfeeding status all under five years age and food (liquid or solid) given to the child during the 24 hours prior to the survey. Even though information on breastfeeding was collected for all born in the five years preceding the survey, the tables on breastfeeding are restricted to born in the three years before the survey because most are weaned by age three. Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 173

4 Table 10.2 shows the percent distribution under three years by breastfeeding status. Contrary to the World Health Organization s recommendation exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months life, only two-thirds less than six months age are exclusively breastfed. Nearly nine in ten less than two months age are exclusively breastfed, while only about half the continue to be exclusively breastfed by the time they are 4-5 months old. The proportion exclusively breastfed declines sharply for six months and older when solid and mushy food become an important part their diet. This could be because among many cultures in Nepal, the first time solid food is given is solemnized with a formal ceremony called Pasnee, or the rice feeding ceremony. This ceremony is considered auspicious starting from the fifth or subsequent odd-numbered month age for female and the sixth or even-numbered month age for male. By 6-7 months age, 53 percent are given breast milk and complementary foods. This rises to 95 percent by months age. Table 10.2 Breastfeeding status by age Percent distribution youngest under three years living with the mother by breastfeeding status and percentage under three years using a bottle with a nipple, according to age in months, Nepal 2001 Breastfeeding and consuming: Age in months Not breastfeeding Exclusively breastfed Plain water only Waterbased liquids/ juice Other milk Complementary foods Total Percentage using a bottle with a nipple 1 < < Note: Breastfeeding status refers to a 24-hour period (yesterday and last night). Children classified as breastfeeding and consuming plain water only consume no supplements. The categories not breastfeeding, exclusively breastfed, breastfeeding and consuming plain water, water-based liquids/juice, other milk, and complementary foods (solids and semi-solids) are hierarchical and mutually exclusive, and their percentages add to 100 percent. Thus who receive breast milk and water-based liquids and who do not receive complementary foods are classified in the water-based liquid category even though they may also get plain water. Any who get complementary food are classified in that category as long as they are breastfeeding as well. 1 Based on all under three years 174 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

5 Bottle-feeding is discouraged for very young because its potential negative effects on child health. It is ten associated with increased risk illness, especially diarrheal disease, because the difficulty in sterilizing the nipples properly. The use a bottle is associated with a lessening the intensity breastfeeding and a consequent shortening the period postpartum amenorrhea. The use bottles with nipples is relatively rare in Nepal. Data from the 2001 NDHS shows that only 4 percent under six months age and 3 percent age 6-9 months are given something to drink from a bottle DURATION AND FREQUENCY OF BREASTFEEDING Table 10.3 presents the duration breastfeeding by selected background characteristics. The estimates mean and median duration breastfeeding are based on current status data, that is, the proportion under three years age who were being breastfed at the time the survey, as opposed to retrospective data on the length breastfeeding older who are no longer breastfed. In Nepal, the median duration breastfeeding is 33 months. The mean duration breastfeeding is 29 months, an increase one month over the last five years, according to data collected in the 1996 NFHS. Both the duration and frequency breastfeeding can affect the length postpartum amenorrhea. Table 10.3 shows that almost all under six months age were breastfed six times or more in the 24 hours preceding the survey. Breastfeeding is more frequent in the daytime than at night, with the mean number feeds in the daytime being eight compared with five at night. Breastfeeding is slightly more frequent among in the terai and among residing in the Central development region. Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 175

6 Table 10.3 Median duration and frequency breastfeeding Median duration any breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, and predominant breastfeeding among born in the three years preceding the survey, percentage breastfeeding under six months living with the mother who were breastfed six or more times in the 24 hours preceding the survey, and mean number feeds (day/night), by background characteristics, Nepal 2001 Median duration (months) breastfeeding 1 Breastfeeding under six months 2 Background characteristic Any breastfeeding Exclusive breastfeeding Predominant breastfeeding 3 Percentage breastfed 6+ times in last 24 hours Mean number day feeds Mean number night feeds Sex Male , Female , Residence Urban (7.6) (5.4) 27 Rural , Ecological zone Mountain Hill , Terai , Development region Eastern Central , Western Mid-western Far-western $ Subregion Eastern Mountain (6.3) (3.6) 10 Central Mountain * * 12 Western Mountain $ (5.6) (4.8) 21 Eastern Hill (6.7) (4.8) 48 Central Hill (5.8) (4.7) 54 Western Hill (6.5) (5.1) 41 Mid-western Hill (5.8) (5.4) 53 Far-western Hill Eastern Terai Central Terai Western Terai Mid-western Terai $ * * 19 Far-western Terai $ Mother's education No education , Primary $ Some secondary SLC and above (8.9) (5.4) 31 Total , Mean for all na na na na na Note: Median and mean durations are based on current status. The median duration any breastfeeding is shown as $36.0 for groups in which the exact median cannot be calculated because the proportion breastfeeding does not drop below 50 percent in any age group for under 36 months age. Figures in parentheses are based on unweighted cases. An asterisk indicates that a figure is based on fewer than 25 unweighted cases and has been suppressed. na = Not applicable SLC = School Leaving Certificate 1 It is assumed that non-last-born or last-born not living with the mother are not currently breastfeeding 2 Excludes who do not have a valid answer on the number times breastfed 3 Either exclusively breastfed or received breast milk and plain water, water-based liquids, and/or juice only (excludes other milk) 176 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

7 10.4 TYPES OF COMPLEMENTARY FOODS Information on the types food given to under three years in the 24 hours preceding the survey, according to their breastfeeding status, is shown in Table This information was gathered for the youngest breastfeeding child below three years. If an eligible mother had two in this category, only the youngest child was taken into consideration. In the case Nepal, the introduction other liquids such as water, juice, and food made grains takes place earlier than the recommended age about six months. Among breastfeeding under six months age, 13 percent received milk supplements, 3 percent received other liquids, 10 percent received food made from grains, 4 percent consumed food made with ghee/oil and butter, and less than 1 percent consumed fruits and vegetables. Overall, 10 percent breastfeeding under six months age consumed solid or semisolid food. Even a small proportion under two months age (3 percent) were given solid or semisolid food. Breastfeeding also consumed other milk supplements early in life, with one in five 4-5 months age receiving milk supplements. Table 10.4 Foods consumed by in the day or night preceding the interview, Percentage youngest under three years age living with the mother who consumed specific foods in the day or night preceding the interview, by breastfeeding status and age, Nepal 2001 Age in months Other milk/ cheese/ yogurt Other liquids 1 Food made from grains Fruits/ vegetables Food made from roots/ tubers Food made from legumes BREASTFEEDING CHILDREN Meat/ fish/ liver/ poultry/ eggs Food made with ghee/oil/ fat/butter Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A 2 Any solid or semisolid food < < NONBREASTFEEDING CHILDREN < (55.7) (46.6) (97.0) (59.7) (81.5) (47.0) (22.5) (67.9) 47.9 (100.0) Note: Breastfeeding status and food consumed refer to a 24-hour period (yesterday and last night). Figures in parentheses are based on unweighted cases. 1 Does not include plain water 2 Includes pumpkins, carrots, green leafy vegetables, mangoes, and papayas. Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 177

8 WHO recommends the introduction solid food to infants around the age six months because by that age, breast milk by itself is no longer sufficient to maintain a child s optimal growth. It is evident that after six months age, there is a marked increase in the type food given to infants with more than half in the age group 6-7 months given any solid and semisolid food. The percentage consuming solid and semisolid food gradually rises, and by one year age, nearly all are fed solid and semisolid foods. A majority (65 percent) age 6-9 months consumed food made from grains. One in four each consumed foods made from legumes, ghee/oil/fat and butter, and roots and tubers. The consumption fruits and vegetables was found to be relatively low with only 17 percent the age 6-9 months consuming fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A. Similarly, only 6 percent 6-9 months age consumed meat, fish, liver, poultry, and eggs in the previous day, all which are rich in body-building substances essential to good health and contain nutrients that are important for balanced physical and mental development. The introduction these foods in the diet is very late and stands out to be the least consumed category food at all ages up to 35 months FREQUENCY OF FOOD SUPPLEMENTATION The nutritional requirements young are more likely to be met if they are fed a variety foods. In the 2001 NDHS, interviewers read a list specific foods and asked mothers to report the number days during the last seven days her child consumed each food. For any food consumed at least once in the last seven days, the mother was also asked for the number times that child had consumed the food in the 24 hours preceding the survey. Tables 10.5 and 10.6 show the mean number times and the mean number days under age three consumed specific foods in the 24 hours preceding the survey and in the seven days before the survey, by age and breastfeeding status. Foods rich in vitamin A were hardly given to in the 24 hours and seven days preceding the survey. Children tend to consume food made from grains more ten than other foods. This is especially the case with above 12 months age who consumed food made from grain every day in the preceding seven days and about three times a day. Meat, fish, liver, and poultry are least ten consumed. As expected, nonbreastfeeding tend to consume milk supplements more ten in a day and during the week. 178 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

9 Table 10.5 Frequency foods consumed by in the day or night preceding the interview Mean number times specific foods were consumed in the day or night preceding the interview by youngest under three years age living with the mother, according to breastfeeding status and age, Nepal 2001 Age in months Other milk/ cheese/ yogurt Other liquids 1 Food made from grains Fruits/ vegetables Food made from roots/ tubers Food made from legumes BREASTFEEDING CHILDREN Meat/ fish/ liver/ poultry/ eggs Food made with ghee/ oil/ fat/ butter Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A 2 < < NONBREASTFEEDING CHILDREN < (1.5) (0.8) (3.5) (0.9) (1.6) (1.0) (0.3) (1.7) Note: Breastfeeding status and food consumed refer to a 24-hour period (yesterday and last night). Figures in parentheses are based on unweighted cases. 1 Does not include plain water 2 Includes pumpkins, carrots, green leafy vegetables, mangoes, and papayas. Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 179

10 180 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status Table 10.6 Frequency foods consumed by in preceding seven days Mean number days specific foods were received in the seven days preceding the interview by youngest under three years age living with the mother, by breastfeeding status and age, Nepal 2001 Age in months Plain water Liquids Solid/semisolid foods Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A Other milk Other liquids Food made from grains Food made from roots/tubers Fruits and vegetables not rich in vitamin A Food made from legumes BREASTFEEDING CHILDREN Cheese/ yogurt Meat/fish/ liver/ poultry/ eggs Food made from ghee/ oil/ fat/ butter Pumpkins/ carrots/ papayas/ mangoes Green leafy vegetables < < Total ,230 NONBREASTFEEDING CHILDREN < (7.0) (3.6) (3.3) (6.7) (4.8) (1.5) (3.0) (1.4) (1.0) (4.1) (0.4) (2.2) Note: Breastfeeding status refers to a 24-hour period (yesterday and last night). Figures in parentheses are based on unweighted cases. 180 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

11 Figure 10.1 indicates that the mean number meals taken in a day increases with the age after six months from one meal a day among age 6-7 months, to two meals a day among 8-9 months, and to three meals a day among 12 months and above. Figure 10.1 Meals Consumed Per Day by Children Under 36 Months Living with the Mother < Child's age (months) Breastfed Not breastfed < Mean number meals (solid/semisolid food) Note: Data are not shown for groups with fewer than 25 unweighted cases. Nepal MICRONUTRIENT INTAKE Micronutrient deficiency is an important cause childhood morbidity and mortality. The poor intake nutritious food, frequent episodes infections and infestation parasites are some the primary causes micronutrient deficiency. Among the various strategies to overcome micronutrient malnutrition and improve food intake, consumption fortified food and genetically modified food and direct supplementation are the more important interventions. The 2001 NDHS gathered information on vitamin A intake through food as well as through direct supplementation for, as well as on the intake vitamin A capsules postpartum and the consumption iron and folic acid tablets during pregnancy among women. Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 181

12 Table 10.7 shows that 28 percent under three years age consumed fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A at least once in the seven days preceding the survey. The consumption fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A is higher among older than among younger. For example, more than two in five age months consumed fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A, compared with about one in five age months. There is little gender difference or variation by birth order in the consumption fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A. Thirty-seven percent urban consumed fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A, compared with 28 percent rural. Children in the terai ecological zone are less likely to consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A than in the other two ecological zones. Children living in the Farwestern development region are also least likely to consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A. Children educated mothers are more likely to consume fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A than mothers with no education. An important strategy for overcoming vitamin A deficiency in the country has been the distribution vitamin A capsules through the Nepal National Vitamin A Program, which has been in place since 1993 and covers nearly all the districts the country. 1 During the distribution, 6-11 months old receive 100,000 international units (IU) and months receive 200,000 IU vitamin A. Children under six months are not covered because most in this age group are breastfed and receive vitamin A through breast milk. The vitamin A distribution in Nepal was carried out during the months Kartik and Baisakh in the Nepali calendar, which roughly corresponds to October and April in the Gregorian calendar. 2 Fieldwork spanned recall in the two different rounds, and the data were used to capture the most recent applicable month. Mothers under five were initially asked whether they knew about the most recent vitamin A capsule distribution. If the respondent did not know about the distribution, then she was asked whether someone else in the household might know such an event. Only in rare cases was information on vitamin A gathered from someone other than the respondent. A respondent was asked whether her child received vitamin A during that distribution. If she reported that her child did receive vitamin A, then she was asked to describe what happened Table 10.7 Vitamin A intake among Percentage youngest under age three living with the mother who consumed fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A in the seven days preceding the survey, by background characteristics, Nepal 2001 Background characteristic Consumed fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A 1 Age in months < , Sex Male ,677 Female ,768 Birth order , Breastfeeding status Breastfeeding ,230 Not breastfeeding Residence Urban Rural ,224 Ecological zone Mountain Hill ,414 Terai ,778 Development region Eastern Central ,148 Western Mid-western Far-western Subregion Eastern Mountain Central Mountain Western Mountain Eastern Hill Central Hill Western Hill Mid-western Hill Far-western Hill Eastern Terai Central Terai Western Terai Mid-western Terai Far-western Terai Mother's education No education ,486 Primary Some secondary SLC and above Mother's age at birth < , Total ,445 SLC = School Leaving Certificate 1 Includes pumpkins, carrots, green leafy vegetables, mangoes, and papayas. 1 Seventy-two the 75 districts were covered by the program as April The distributions that are relevant for the 2001 NDHS fieldwork were the rounds October 18 and 19, 2000, and April 19 and 20, * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

13 during the event. Interviewers were instructed to circle a spontaneous response if a respondent mentioned that the child received a red capsule, the capsule was cut, the child s name was written down, and the capsule was provided at a central location. If any one these four descriptions was not mentioned spontaneously, the respondent was probed Table 10.8 shows coverage levels vitamin A supplementation among 6-59 months age. Overall, 81 percent age 6-59 months received vitamin A supplementation during the most recent distribution. The 1998 NMSS showed that 87 percent age 6-59 months received vitamin A supplementation in the most recent distribution preceding the survey. In addition, minisurveys conducted by the Nepal Technical Assistance Group (NTAG) after every round the distribution have shown coverage ranging from 86 percent to above 95 percent (NTAG, 2001). Among who received vitamin A supplementation, the four specific descriptive conditions on vitamin A mentioned above were recounted spontaneously by mothers 10 percent, whereas in the case 81 percent, this information was obtained through probing. Children months are more likely to receive vitamin A supplementation than younger. With the exception in the age groups 6-9 months and months, there is little difference in vitamin A supplementation by age. It is possible that the low level coverage (44 percent) for 6-9 months could be because some were under six months age and thus ineligible during the last distribution. The DHS does not ask the age the child during the vitamin A distribution but rather takes into account the age on the day the interview. The inclusion these ineligible may lead to some slight underestimation in the coverage. There is little difference in vitamin A supplementation by sex the child. The urban-rural difference in vitamin A intake is more obvious, with rural somewhat more likely to receive vitamin A capsules than urban. Four out five in rural areas received vitamin A capsules, compared with three in four in urban areas. Differences by ecological zone are minimal. Children residing in the Western region are somewhat more likely to have received vitamin A supplementation, especially living in the Western hill, Western terai, and Far-western terai subregions. Vitamin A supplementation for increases slightly with education mothers. These differences are consistent with findings from the NMSS 1998 and also with the minisurveys conducted by NTAG. A mother s nutritional status during pregnancy is important both for the child s intrauterine development and for protection against maternal morbidity and mortality. The 2001 NDHS gathered information on whether mothers received vitamin A supplementation during the first two months after a delivery and whether women received iron and folic acid tablets during pregnancy. Information on the occurrence night blindness was also collected from women. Night blindness is an indicator severe vitamin A deficiency, from which pregnant women are especially prone to suffer. Since some the reported cases night blindness could also be attributed to vision difficulties in general and not specific to vitamin A deficiency, it is important to make this distinction and exclude these cases to get a more precise estimate night blindness. Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 183

14 Table 10.8 Vitamin A supplement Percentage 6-59 months who received vitamin A supplement during the most recent distribution, and among those who received vitamin A, the percentage whose mothers mentioned, spontaneously or after probing, all four conditions receipt vitamin A, by background characteristics, Nepal 2001 Among who received vitamin A: Background characteristic Percentage who received vitamin A Percentage whose mother mentioned all four conditions spontaneously 1 Percentage whose mother mentioned all four conditions after probing 1 Age in months , , , , , , , ,201 Sex Male , ,522 Female , ,576 Residence Urban Rural , ,780 Ecological zone Mountain Hill , ,147 Terai , ,559 Development region Eastern , ,146 Central , ,619 Western , Mid-western Far-western Subregion Eastern Mountain Central Mountain Western Mountain Eastern Hill Central Hill Western Hill Mid-western Hill Far-western Hill Eastern Terai Central Terai , Western Terai Mid-western Terai Far-western Terai Mother's education No education , ,758 Primary Some secondary SLC and above Total , ,098 Note: Information on vitamin A supplements is based on mother s recall. SLC = School Leaving Certificate 1 Child received a red capsule; the capsule was cut; the child s name was written down; and the capsule was provided at a central location. 184 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

15 Table 10.9 shows micronutrient intake among mothers and the status night blindness during pregnancy. Overall, 10 percent recent mothers received a vitamin A supplement within two months postpartum. Younger women and women with fewer are more likely to receive vitamin A postpartum. There is a marked difference by urban-rural residence, with 23 percent urban women receiving vitamin A postpartum, compared with only 9 percent women in rural areas. Women residing in the terai ecological zone and especially in the Far-western terai subregion are more likely than residents other regions to receive vitamin A postpartum. Similarly, educated women are more likely to receive vitamin A postpartum than women with no education. In general, 20 percent women reported night blindness during pregnancy. When adjusted for blindness not attributed to vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy, the data in Table 10.9 show that 8 percent women reported night blindness during their last pregnancy. Iron-deficiency anemia has remained a public health problem in Nepal. To combat this problem, the government has embarked on a program to provide 60 milligrams iron per day to pregnant women from the beginning their second trimester pregnancy through 45 days postpartum for all pregnant women visiting health posts. In spite this program, the 2001 NDHS data show that more than three in four women who gave birth in the five years preceding the survey did not take iron/folic acid tablets during their pregnancy, and 14 percent reported taking iron/folic acid tablets for less than 60 days. Three percent women reported taking these tablets for days and 6 percent reported taking them for 90 days or longer. Younger women, women living in the urban areas, and educated women are more likely to take iron/folic acid tablets than other women NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN The nutritional status young reflects the level and pace household, community, and national development. Malnutrition is a direct result insufficient food intake or repeated infectious disease or a combination both. It can result in an increased risk illness and death and can also result in a lower level cognitive development. The 2001 NDHS measured the heights and weights for all under five years age to estimate their nutritional status. Anthropometry provides one the most important indicators s nutritional status. A three-piece Shorr portable measuring board was used to measure the height ; under two years were measured lying down (supine), while those over two years were measured standing up. The weight was obtained to the nearest 0.1 kilogram using the UNISCALE digital scales from UNICEF. The scales were calibrated on a regular basis in the field against standard weights. Three internationally accepted indices physical growth describing s nutritional status were constructed from combining the height, weight, and age data: height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age. Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 185

16 Table 10.9 Micronutrient intake among mothers Among women who gave birth in the five years preceding the survey, percentage who received a vitamin A dose in the first two months after delivery, percentage who suffered from night blindness during pregnancy, and percentage who took iron/folic acid tablets for specific numbers days, by background characteristics, Nepal 2001 Background characteristic Percentage who suffered night blindness during pregnancy days women took iron/folic acid tablets during pregnancy Received vitamin A dose postpartum 1 Reported Adjusted 2 None < Don't know/ missing women Mother's age at birth < , , ever born , , Residence Urban Rural ,414 Ecological zone Mountain Hill ,979 Terai ,405 Development region Eastern ,102 Central ,535 Western Mid-western Far-western Subregion Eastern Mountain Central Mountain Western Mountain Eastern Hill Central Hill Western Hill Mid-western Hill Far-western Hill Eastern Terai Central Terai Western Terai Mid-western Terai Far-western Terai Mother's education No education ,437 Primary Some secondary SLC and above Total ,745 Note: For women with two or more live births in the five-year period, data refer to the most recent birth. SLC = School Leaving Certificate 1 In the first two months after delivery 2 Women who reported night blindness but did not report difficulty with vision during the day 186 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status

17 These three indices provide indications s susceptibility to diseases and their chances survival and are expressed as standardized (Z-scores) deviation units from the median a reference population recommended by the World Health Organization. The use a reference population is based on the finding that well-nourished in all population groups for which data exist follow similar growth patterns before puberty and thus exhibit similar distributions height and weight at given ages (Martorell and Habicht, 1986). One the most commonly used reference populations is the international reference population defined by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and accepted by WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The reference population serves as a point comparison, facilitating the examination differences in the anthropometric status subgroups in a population and changes in nutritional status over time. Children who fall below two standard deviations from the reference median are regarded as malnourished, whereas who fall three standard deviations below the reference median are regarded as severely malnourished. Since s height and weight change with age, it is suggested that height and weight be related to age and that weight be related to height, taking the sex the child into consideration. Each the three indices measures somewhat different aspects nutritional status. The height-for-age index provides an indicator linear growth retardation. Children whose height-for-age is below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median the reference population are considered short for their age, or stunted. Children who are below minus three standard deviations (-3 SD) from the reference population median are severely stunted. Stunting a child s growth may be the result failure to receive adequate nutrition over a long period or the effects recurrent or chronic illness. Height-for-age, therefore, represents a measure the outcome undernutrition in a population over a long period and does not vary appreciably with the season data collection. The weight-for-height index measures body mass in relation to body length. Children whose weight-for-height is below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median the reference population are too thin for their height, or wasted, while those whose weight-for-height is below minus three standard deviations (-3 SD) from the reference population median are severely wasted. Wasting represents the failure to receive adequate nutrition during the period immediately before the survey. It may be the result recent episodes illness, especially diarrhea, or acute food shortage. Weight-for-age is a composite index height-for-age and weight-for-height. Children whose weight-for-age is below minus two standard deviations (-2 SD) from the median the reference population are underweight for their age, while those who are below minus three standard deviations (-3 SD) from the reference population are severely underweight. Being underweight for one s age, therefore, could mean that a child is stunted or wasted or both stunted and wasted. Table shows the nutritional status under five years classified as malnourished according to the three indices nutritional status, by background characteristics. The validity these indices is determined by several factors, including the coverage the population and the accuracy the anthropometric measurements. The survey was not able to measure the height and weight all eligible, usually because the child was not at home at the time Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status * 187

18 Table Nutritional status Percentage under five years classified as malnourished according to three anthropometric indices nutritional status: height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age, by background characteristics, Nepal 2001 Background characteristic Percentage below - 3 SD Height-for-age Weight-for-height Weight-for-age Percentage Mean Percentage Percentage Mean Percentage Percentage below z-score below below z-score below below - 2 SD 1 (SD) - 3 SD - 2 SD 1 (SD) - 3 SD 1-2 SD 1 Mean z-score (SD) Age in months < , , , ,306 Sex Male ,157 Female ,253 Birth order , , , Birth interval in months 2 First birth ,422 < , , Size at birth 2 Very small Small Average or larger ,075 Residence Urban Rural ,983 Ecological zone Mountain Hill ,685 Terai ,237 Development region Eastern ,479 Central ,098 Western ,197 Mid-western Far-western Subregion Eastern Mountain Central Mountain Western Mountain Eastern Hill Central Hill Western Hill Mid-western Hill Far-western Hill Eastern Terai Central Terai ,283 Western Terai Mid-western Terai Far-western Terai Mother's education 4 No education ,594 Primary Some secondary SLC and above Mother's age , , , Children interviewed mothers ,235 Total ,410 Note: Table is based on who stayed in the household the night before the interview. Each the indices is expressed in standard deviation units (SD) from the median the NCHS/CDC/WHO International Reference Population. The percentage who are more than three or more than two standard deviations below the median the International Reference Population (-3 SD and -2 SD) are shown according to background characteristics. Table is based on with valid dates birth (month and year) and valid measurement both height and weight. SLC = School Leaving Certificate 1 Includes who are below 3 standard deviations (SD) from the International Reference Population median. 2 Excludes whose mothers were not interviewed 3 First born twins (triplets, etc.) are counted as first births because they do not have a previous birth interval. 4 For women who are not interviewed, information is taken from the Household Questionnaire. Excludes whose mothers are not listed in the household schedule. 188 * Infant Feeding and Children s and Women s Nutritional Status