Syed Sanowar Ali, Nasim Karim, Syed Sabieh Haider.
Association of literacy of fathers with malnutrition among children under three years of age in rural area of district Malir, Karachi.
Med Channel Jan ;11(1):26-9.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association of literacy of fathers with malnutrition among children under three years of age in rural area of district Malir, Karachi. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used to carryout the study. SETTING: 399 Children under three years of age residing in the rural area of district Malir, Karachi were enrolled for the study. The selection of the children was irrespective of gender, ethnicity and religion. RESULT: 1. 198 (49.63%) of fathers were illiterate & only 26.07% of fathers had education >= matric level. Among the literate group, 13 fathers could read or write only, 55 had primary, 29 middle, 63 matriculate, 22 intermediate and I9 fathers were educated till the graduate level. 2. Maximum malnutrition regarding underweight (62.63%) & stunting (48.99%) was seen in children who`s fathers were illiterate & maximum wasting (38.46%) was seen in children who`s fathers could only read & write. 3. There was a significant difference regarding underweight & stunting between the children who`s fathers were illiterate or had education up to primary level as compared to the children who`s fathers had education to more than primary level (P<0.01), but non significant difference regarding wasting was found. 4. Overall 54.14% children were underweight, 38.85% were stunted & 2I.30% had wasting. CONCLUSION: Father`s literacy status has a definite association with the malnutrition of the children < 3 yrs of age. ln order to combat this an uplift of father`s literacy status is badly needed especially in the rural areas.

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