Determinants of Maternal Undernutrition in Rural Communities of Tharparkar and Southern Punjab.
Keywords:
Anemia; Dietary Diversity; Malnutrition; Maternal Health; Rural Population; Socioeconomic Factors; UndernutritionAbstract
Background:
Maternal undernutrition remains a significant public health issue in Pakistan, particularly in rural regions such as Tharparkar and southern Punjab, where poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate healthcare access persist. Understanding the determinants of maternal nutritional status in these regions is vital for developing effective interventions and policies aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Objective:
To identify the socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral determinants of maternal undernutrition among women of reproductive age in rural communities of Tharparkar and southern Punjab.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 women aged 15–49 years from rural Tharparkar (Sindh) and southern Punjab (Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan). Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic, dietary, and environmental factors. Anthropometric measurements, including BMI and MUAC, were recorded to assess nutritional status. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26, applying chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of undernutrition, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the University of the Punjab (Ref. No. IRB/PU/2024/112).
Results:
The prevalence of maternal undernutrition (BMI <18.5 kg/m²) was 38.5%, higher in Tharparkar (44%) than in southern Punjab (33%). Low household income (AOR 2.61; 95% CI: 1.44–4.72), lack of education (AOR 2.03; 95% CI: 1.10–3.75), poor dietary diversity (AOR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.09–3.21), and absence of improved sanitation (AOR 1.78; 95% CI: 1.02–3.11) were independent predictors of undernutrition.
Conclusion:
Maternal undernutrition in rural Pakistan is driven by intertwined socioeconomic, dietary, and environmental factors. Targeted, multisectoral interventions addressing poverty, education, food access, and sanitation are essential to improve maternal nutrition and health equity.
Keywords: Anemia; Dietary Diversity; Malnutrition; Maternal Health; Rural Population; Socioeconomic Factors; Undernutrition
