CAN MOTHERS IDENTIFY MALNUTRITION IN THEIR CHILDREN

To assess mothers' perceptions about malnutrition and their ability to identify malnutrition in their own children, 339 children aged 3-35 m onths and their mothers were studied in two urban hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and in a community clinic. The weight, height, and mid-upp er arm circumference of the children were measured, and their mothers were interviewed. Child nutritional status according to their mother's statement and anthropometrically assessed nutritional status were com pared. Sixty per cent of the mothers correctly identified better nutri tional status (weight/age >75% of NCHS median) and 67% mothers correct ly identified malnutrition (weight/age less-than-or-equal-to 75% of NC HS median) in their children. Sixty-one per cent of mothers with less than 5 years of formal education correctly identified better nutrition (weight/age >75%) whereas 38% mothers with more than 5 years of educa tion correctly identified better nutrition. Correct identification of malnutrition was made by 70% of mothers with less than 5 years of form al education, and 74% of educated mothers did the same. As regards cau ses of malnutrition, 33% of mothers stated that lack of food at home r esulted in undernutrition in their children (mean weight-for-age of th ese children was 65% of the NCHS median). Mothers' suggestions for imp roving child health were: better food in 31% cases; treatment of illne sses in 22% cases; and both in 42% cases. The results suggest that mos t of the mothers are able to identify malnutrition in their children, and 95% of them are aware of ways to improve it, and that the provisio n of adequate food and health care may improve child nutritional statu s.