DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2021.v09i02.018

Pages: 267-270

Background: The uncontrollable rapid growth of urban slum population, accompanied by poor nutritional status is a devastating problem. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in slum areas of Dhaka city. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted among 500randomly selected children aged 6 months to 5 years of Agargaon and Beribadh slum of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. After taking consents from parents anthropometric measurements were done using standard methods. These are weight, height, MUAC and age. Data were entered onto a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS windows 21 programs. Results: Amongst the 500 under 5 aged children male to female ratio was equal (1.08:1). Majority (125) children were 13 months to 24 months aged. According to weight for height Z-score, 16% of the children had mild to moderate wasting and 07% had severe wasting. According to height for age Z-score about 36% of children were stunted (mild/moderate) and 05% children were severely stunted. About 31% of children were under weight (mild/moderate) and 04% children were severely underweight. According to MUAC classification 32% of children had mild/ moderate malnutrition and 08% had severe malnutrition. Conclusions: Overall, nutritional status of the under 5 children of slums of Agargaon and Beribadh were below acceptance.