Evaluation of the nutritional status of children aged (1-20)‎ months-old in Hilla City : comparative study

Abstract EN

The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children aged (1-20months - old) and compared the study with three other studies done in 1952, 1962, and 1982.

The study was conducted in Primary Health Care Center of Babylon Quarter in Hilla City throughout the period of March 2000 to the end of March 2001.

The sample was comprised of 2000 child aged 1-20 months old.

Data was collected through the use of Weight-for-Age indicator depending on the study of UNICEF (1997) at the Primary Health Centers through Polio National Immunization Days (PNID) in Iraq.

Analysis of data was performed through the application of descriptive and inferential statistics.

The study result revealed that there were no significant differences among the present study and the other three studies during the lst six months of age, but there is a significant difference after the six months of age.

The study also indicated that insuficient milk was the main reason for stopped breast feeding among mothers shared in the present study.

The study recommended that mothers must be attended a nutritional education programs in order to increase their knowledge and practices, also breast feeding may be encourage in all Iraqi P.H.C.