Agbor Evon Njigang^{1, 2,}, Irene U.N. Sumbele², Nkweleko Fankam Falone^{1, 3}, Kah Emmanuel^{1, 4}, Roland N. Ndip²

Childhood malnutrition is a multi-dimensional problem, and it adversely affects the productivity of nations as well as creating economic and social challenges among vulnerable groups. It remains a major challenge to public health in developing countries and Cameroon is not an exception. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition in children 0-5years and contributing factors in the Tole health area. A cross-sectional study was carried out in eight quarters in Tole including 301parent/ children. Data was collected through the administration of questionnaire to children’s parents/caregivers to obtain socio-demographic and socio-economic information. In addition, measurement of anthropometric indices such as weight, height, and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were obtained. Data was entered into excel version 13 and analyzed using SPSS 22. Descriptive analysis was carried out to investigate the spread of scores. A chi square test was carried out to test for an association between sociodemographic/ socioeconomic characteristics and nutritional status of children. The Odds Ratio was used to measure the strength of association between potential predictive factors and nutritional status with significant levels measured at 95 % confidence interval (CI) and significant differences set at P<0.05. Interpretation was done using Z-scores (mild malnutrition≤1SD, moderate malnutrition≤2SD and severe malnutrition≤3SD). The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 36.5% with Stunting being the most common form of malnutrition (20.9%), underweight (8.6%) of the children and wasting (7%). Risk factors associated with malnutrition were age more than12 years (p= 0.030), lack of vaccination (p=0.028), poor feeding habits (p=0.041), household size (p=0.023). This study showed a high prevalence of malnutrition in the Tole health area among children below 5years.Nutrition education, especially to mothers and integration of activities in all health units and communities will go a long way to fight malnutrition.

malnutrition, risk factors, prevalence, childhood, children 0-5 years, Cameroon