Prevalence of Malnutrition and Associated Risk Factors Among Children Under Five Years of Age Attending Primary Healthcare Centers

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and identify its associated risk factors among children under five years of age attending primary healthcare centers in Punjab, Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used, and data were collected from 384 children and their caregivers through structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements based on WHO growth standards. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition, post hoc analysis was applied to assess differences across age groups, chi-square tests were used to examine associations between socio-demographic factors and malnutrition, and binary logistic regression identified independent predictors. The results showed a high prevalence of malnutrition, with significant age-related differences, where children aged 12–59 months had higher rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight compared to infants. Socio-demographic factors such as maternal education, household income, family size, and rural residence were significantly associated with malnutrition. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lack of exclusive breastfeeding (AOR = 2.48), inappropriate complementary feeding (AOR = 2.91), inadequate dietary diversity (AOR = 3.12), recent diarrheal episodes (AOR = 3.65), and incomplete immunization (AOR = 2.39) were significant predictors of malnutrition. The study concludes that malnutrition among children under five is highly prevalent and influenced by multiple modifiable factors, highlighting the need for integrated nutritional and healthcare interventions at the primary healthcare level in Punjab, Pakistan.