SỰ KHÁC BIỆT VỀ ĐỊA LÝ TRONG SUY DINH DƯỠNG VÀ AN NINH LƯƠNG THỰC: NGHIÊN CỨU SO SÁNH TRẺ EM THÀNH THỊ VÀ NÔNG THÔN TỪ 0,5 ĐẾN 11,9 TUỔI

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and food insecurity in children aged 6 monts to 11.9 years, comparing urban and rural groups.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with analysis was conducted on 4,000 children aged 6 months to 11.9 years in urban and rural areas. Malnutrition indicators (stunting, wasting, underweight, and thinness (children >5 years old)), food security status (food security ensured, household/individual food security compromised, and child hunger), and their associations were reported, using a p-value < 0.05 to determine statistical significance.

Results: Rural children have significantly higher rates of stunting, underweight, and thinness compared to urban children (p<0.05). The rate of food security in rural areas (74.3%) is significantly lower than in urban areas (85.9%), and the rate of hungry children in rural areas (12.3%) is almost three times higher than in urban areas (4.7%, p < 0.001). In rural areas, food security status is associated with all forms of malnutrition (p<0.05), while in urban areas, household food insecurity shows a significant association with stunting (p = 0.032).

Conclusion: The findings highlight significant geographic disparities, with rural malnutrition showing a statistically significant association with acute and chronic malnutrition in children aged 6 months to 11.9 years.