Malnutrition among vaccinated children aged 0‐5 years in Batouri, Republic of Cameroon

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition continues to contribute to a high infant mortality rate. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and its potential association with the time at which complementary feeding was introduced among children aged 0‐5 years in Batouri, Republic of Cameroon. METHODS: Mothers (n=212) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Child height or length, and weight measurements were determined and the appropriate Z‐scores calculated. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the values of all nutritional status indicators as dependent variables and the time of commencing complementary feeding, and the child's age and sex, as independent variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting (height/length for age<−2 standard deviation [SD]), underweight (weight for age<−2SD), and wasting (weight for height/length<−2SD) was 45.8%, 30.2%, and 11.3%, respectively. Even taking into consideration the biological variables, there was a significant association in the effects of time of starting complementary foods on the nutritional status indicators. Furthermore, adding socio‐economic variables did not produce a rise in adjusted R (2) values for all age group models concerned. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 30% of the children in the study region were underweight, and approximately half of the children exhibited stunting, indicating chronic malnutrition. Commencing complementary feeding at an appropriate time had a positive effect on nutritional status from approximately 2 years of age.