GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF NUTRITION DEFICIENCY AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD IN THE WEST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE, IRAN

The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition has been a prudent decrease in all
malnutrition levels. However, it is one of the important health problems in the west Azerbaijan province
.In this study we determine the prevalence of malnutrition among children less than 5 years and
identify hot points of using Geographic Information System in West Azerbaijan province.
Materials & Methods: In cross-sectional study based on a cluster sampling, weight and height of 3 341
children between 0-59 months old in West Azerbaijan province in 2008 year were gathered. Z scores
calculated for three indicators: height for age, weight for height and weight for age .Geographical
distribution pattern of underweight, stunting, and wasting indicators in 1 4 districts of the province
depicted by Geographical Information System (ARC GIS 9.3) software.
Results: 8.7%, 7.5% and 4.3 % of the children aged less than five years suffered from stunting, wasting,
and underweight respectively; the prevalence of malnutrition indexes varies at districts level of this
province. The prevalence of stunting (30.5%) and wasting (9.6%) were highest among piranshahr and
sardasht children respectively .The prevalence of stunting significantly higher among rural vs
urban children (P<0.05), although there is no significant difference between wasting and
underweight among rural vs urban areas ( P>0.05) .
Conclusion: The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition was twofold higher than mean national level
among children under five years old; piranshar district were classified as high prevalence of malnutrition
(eight fold of natial level) . It appears that subjective strategies are required to improve the nutritional
and health, socioeconomic indicators in this province