ABSTRACT

Malaria and undernutrition have independently contributed to mortality and morbidity among the under-five population of Nigeria. However, there remains complexity in their association. This study evaluates the association between stunting, underweight, wasting, and malaria among under-five Nigerian children while assessing the effects of sociodemographic factors. Cross-sectional data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey were used, which included a study population of 12,996 children aged 0–59 months. Stunting (HAZ<-2.0 SD), underweight (WAZ<-2.0 SD), wasting (WHZ<-2.0 SD), malaria test results, and sociodemographic factors were obtained and examined. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine the associations between undernutrition, malaria, and sociodemographic factors. The prevalence of stunting was 37.0%, with 22.0% underweight, 6.9% wasting, and 22.6% tested positive for malaria. Stunting was frequent among 24–35 months old, 12–23 months old were mostly underweight and wasted, and 48–59 months old frequently suffered from malaria. Undernutrition and malaria frequently occurred among males, residents of rural areas, the poorest wealth quintile, and children of mothers with no formal education. The odds of having malaria was 89% higher among under-five stunted children (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.00,1.40; p-value = <0.0001). However, underweight (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.91,1.36; p-value = 0.2982) and wasting (AOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.67,1.19; p-value = 0.4519) were not significantly associated with malaria. The development of appropriate strategies, especially in rural areas and for less-educated mothers are critical to combat undernutrition and malaria.

摘要

疟疾和营养不良独立导致尼日利亚五岁以下人口的死亡率和发病率。然而，它们的关联仍然存在复杂性。本研究评估了 5 岁以下尼日利亚儿童发育迟缓、体重不足、消瘦和疟疾之间的关联，同时评估了社会人口因素的影响。使用了 2018 年尼日利亚人口与健康调查的横断面数据，其中包括 12,996 名 0-59 个月儿童的研究人群。获得并检查了发育迟缓（HAZ<-2.0 SD）、体重不足（WAZ<-2.0 SD）、消瘦（WHZ<-2.0 SD）、疟疾检测结果和社会人口因素。逻辑回归模型用于确定营养不良、疟疾和社会人口因素之间的关联。发育迟缓的患病率为 37.0%，其中 22. 0% 体重不足，6.9% 消瘦，22.6% 疟疾检测呈阳性。24-35 月龄发育迟缓多见，12-23 月龄多为体重过轻和消瘦，48-59 月龄多患疟疾。营养不良和疟疾经常发生在男性、农村居民、最贫困的五分之一财富以及没有受过正规教育的母亲的子女中。5 岁以下发育迟缓儿童患疟疾的几率高出 89%（AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.00,1.40；p 值 = <0.0001）。然而，体重过轻（AOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.91,1.36；p 值 = 0.2982）和消瘦（AOR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.67,1.19；p 值 = 0.4519）与疟疾没有显着相关性。制定适当的战略，特别是在农村地区和受教育程度较低的母亲，对于防治营养不良和疟疾至关重要。