Nutritional status in 6-59 months children and association with water, sanitation and hygiene practice in slums of Kathmandu metropolitan city.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: Childhood malnutrition is a critical public health concern in Nepal. Slums, which are supposed to have poor water, sanitation and hygiene behavior. This study has aimed to examine association between WASH variables and nutritional status of 6 to 59 months children of slum of Kathmandu metropolitan city. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed where 335 household were included in the study. Data were collected using questionnaire, observation checklist. Weight and height of children were taken using seca digital weighting scale weighing scale and wooden height board of UNIVEF respectively. Anthropometric analysis was done using WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 software and other statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22 software. The prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight was 5.4% 23% and 10.4% respectively. Four out of five household (80%) in slum used to drink water from unimproved source. Absence of hand washing station (AOR=2.109,95% CI: 1.05-3.27) and absence of water storage covering (AOR=2.46, 95% CI; 1.16-5.23) were found to be significantly contributing to stunting status. Similarly, age of mother (AOR=1.058,95% CI; 1.012-1.107) and absence of hand washing station (AOR=2.29,95% CI: 1.34-3.90) were significantly associated with wasting status. Likewise, unimproved toilet (AOR=3.23, 95% CI; 1.19-8.77) and absence of hand washing station (AOR=2.99, 95% CI 1.19-7.46) were found to be significantly associated with underweight status. Consistent with findings from other studies as well, findings from this study highlight the importance of good WASH practices, and there the potential of WASH interventions, to contribute for the improved nutritional status of the children living in slums in Nepal. Also, the findings recommend the need of strategies by local and national level, focused on purification of water, improvement of toilets, behavior change and awareness related activities as well.