Abstract:
Child malnutrition continues to be a significant global public health challenge,
with serious consequences on both social and economic progress. It can lead to
stunted growth and low cognitive development which can have long-term
impacts on their future. In Sri Lanka, child malnutrition manifests differently
across urban, rural, and estate residential sectors, with each area facing unique
challenges. This research aims to investigate the differential impact of
residential sectors on child malnutrition in the Nuwara-Eliya district. This
research was based on primary data and a sample survey was conducted for data
gathering using a questionnaire. The sampling method adopted to choose the
sample was multi-stage stratified sampling. The sample size, determined using
the Krejcie–Morgan table, consisted of 378 participants. The sampling unit was
children enrolled in grade 6 at government schools in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
The study's analysis involved the application of descriptive statistics and binary
logistic regression model. Descriptive statistics revealed that the highest
prevalence malnutrition among school children has recorded in the estate sector
in both aspects of underweight (34%) and stunting (37%). However, in terms of
wasting, urban sector recorded the highest malnutrition (33%). Binary logistic
model found a statistically significant impact of residential sectors on child
malnutrition in the aspect of underweight. P value of Hosmer–Lemeshow test
statistics is greater than 0.05 and it justifies the selected logit model for
malnutrition in terms of underweight is sufficiently fit with data. The
probabilities of being malnourished are 0.16, 0.30 and 0.50 in the rural, urban
and estate sectors respectively. Understanding these differential sectorial
impacts, with a particular focus on the unique challenges faced by children in
different sectors is important for a comprehensive approach to combat
malnutrition focusing the sectorial disparities and to develop effective
involvements to enhance child nutrition and health outcomes.
