Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Hadi Danawi

Abstract

Malnutrition is characterized by the insufficient intake of certain nutrients and the inability of the body to absorb or use these nutrients. This health problem continues to be a persistent challenge among children under 5 years of age in developing countries, including Haiti, despite food aid provided. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between dietary habits in children under 5 years of age in Haiti and their malnutrition status. Community organization theory was used to determine the association between determinants of health such as dietary habits, parents' knowledge and experience, cultural eating habits, socioeconomic status, and the outcome of malnutrition status. This study was quantitative using a cross-sectional study design. A total of 113 participants that were parents or legal guardian of children under 5 years of age were used in the data analysis. A chi-square test for association was used for analysis. The results showed a statistically significant association between dietary habits, cultural eating habits, socioeconomic status, and cultural food taboos and moderate malnutrition, with the following Pearson chi-square respectively (113.000), p=0.000; (5.811), p=0.016; (70.236), p=0.000; and (4.181), p= 0.041. There was no statistically significant association between knowledge and experience and moderate malnutrition (p = 0.771). The results of this study could bring positive social change by guiding healthcare practitioners in future practice to have a cultural approach when developing nutrition intervention programs for population in developing countries with diverse cultural background.

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