Year: 2026 | Month: March | Volume: 16 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 100-107
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260312
Knowledge Regarding Predisposing Factors, Possible Causes and Outcomes of Malnutrition Among Mothers of Under Five Children in Sullia Taluk, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka
Sohaib Mohammed1, Apoorva Dore2, Sharika3, Anila P4
1Clinical Fellow in General Medicine, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom
2Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, KVG Medical College and Hospital, Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India
3Intern Dentist, KVG Institute of Dental Sciences, Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India
4Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, KVG Medical College and Hospital, Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India
Corresponding Author: Anila P
ABSTRACT
Background: Good nutrition is the most important component which determines the growth and development of a child under-five years of age. Cultural taboos regarding breast feeding, weaning practices, and pregnancy diets may lead to various patterns of dietary behaviour. Malnutrition is a result of imbalance between the requirements of the human body and the nutrient intake. Objective: To assess the knowledge among mothers of under-five children regarding predisposing factors, possible causes and outcomes of malnutrition.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 200 mothers of children under 5 years of age attending Anganwadis of Sullia taluk, Karnataka. A structured interview schedule was used to collect the data. The level of knowledge was determined by a predefined score.
Results: 94% of mothers have received some formal education and 6% have not received any formal education. 75% of the mothers belonged to the middle class as per B.G Prasad classification. About 81.5% mothers are homemakers and 18.5% constitute working mothers. Overall, the mothers had poor knowledge regarding possible outcomes of malnutrition in the following domains-overweight, mouth sores, delayed eruption of tooth and mental retardation. However, knowledge regarding predisposing factors and possible causes of malnutrition was high in following domains- lack of appetite in child, lack of availability of right type of food, lack of mother care, presence of chronic illness, cultural and food taboos, inappropriate breastfeeding.
Conclusion: The present study reiterates the involvement of mothers in intervention programs held at Anganwadis to get awareness and hence prevent malnutrition in children.
Key words: Anganwadis, cultural taboos, malnutrition, Mothers perception, under five children