Date of Award

12-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Epidemiology & Biostatistics

First Advisor

Dr.Jai Das

Second Advisor

Ms. Arjumand Rizvi

Third Advisor

Dr. Bhavita Kumari

Department

Community Health Sciences

Abstract

Background: The double burden of malnutrition(DBM), including both undernutrition and over nutrition, is a significant public health challenge in developing nations like Pakistan. Adolescents, a critical growth phase, are especially vulnerable. This study investigates the prevalence and factors contributing to double burden of malnutrition among school-going and non-school-going adolescents in Tando Muhammad Khan(TMK), Sindh, Pakistan.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design using secondary data from the adolescent health and well-being survey(AD-HAWS) conducted in 2021 was employed. This study focused on adolescents aged 10-19 years residing in Tando Muhammad Khan(TMK), Sindh, Pakistan. Using multistage cluster sampling, 1,304 households were surveyed. In the secondary analysis, multinomial logistic regression with survey settings was used to analyze the data. The data were cleaned and analyzed in STATA 17. Anthropometric measurements were taken to assess the double burden of malnutrition, defined by world health organization (WHO )criteria.
Results: The prevalence of the DBM among adolescents in TMK, Sindh, Pakistan, was 21.5%, with 18% underweight (95% CI: 0.15–0.20) and 4% overweight/obese (95% CI: 0.03–0.05). The analysis identified several significant predictors for being underweight. Risk factors included working 0-3 hours per day (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.00-2.57), absence of soap for hand washing (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.98-2.20), having fairly good sleep quality (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.34-2.59), and experiencing mild to moderate depression (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.04-3.00). Protective factors were being female (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.40-0.81) and always eating between meals (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.39-1.02). For iii being overweight/obese, the analysis revealed that always eating between meals was a risk factor (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 0.95-4.24). On the other hand, a larger family size was found to be a protective factor (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.80).
Conclusion: Over one-fifth of adolescents in TMK, Sindh, Pakistan, are affected by the DBM, with 18% underweight and 4% overweight/obese. Significant predictors of DBM include gender, working hours, depression levels, eating habits, family size, sleep quality, and handwashing practices. Targeted interventions must address these factors to effectively reduce DBM among adolescents in this region.

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1

Last Page

133

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