Abstract

Background: Afghanistan is a landlocked multiethnic country located in the heart of south-central Asia, where the lack of access to food, poor care, feeding practices, and illness are the major causes of undernutrition in Afghanistan. To be honest, there is not any study to reveal the nutrition status under five years in Afghanistan.

Method: National Nutritional Survey (NNS)-2013 was an Observational survey at the household level across Afghanistan. The survey used both quantitative and qualitative methods to achieve the information. The survey consisted of interviews, measurement of anthropometric indices, and collection and testing of biological specimens. A multi-stage cluster methodology was adopted for the survey. The sample size was calculated to provide national and provincial representative estimates. The survey was conducted in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan targeting 18,360 households.

Result: At national level, 40.9% (95% CI 39.3-42.5) children were stunted (HAZ <-2SD). The prevalence of severe stunting in children was an alarming 20.9% (95% CI 19.7-22.2) and was higher than moderate stunting (19.7%). Across the country, 9.5% (95% CI 8.7-10.4) of children were wasted (WHZ <-2SD). The prevalence of moderate and severe wasting was 5.5% and 4.0% respectively. Overall 25.0% children (95% CI 23.7-26.2) were underweight; 9.7% (95% CI 8.8-10.5) were severely underweight and 15.2% were moderately underweight.

Conclusion: We can say with great conviction after the analysis and report on the nutritional status that 40.9% of children were stunted, 9.5% were wasted, and 25% of children were underweight.