Chronic malnutrition in children under 2 years of age in Ecuador: Spatial analysis of nutritional care during the period 2019 (January) – 2020 (December)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/ASCE/2703.2718/2025Keywords:
Malnutrition, Ecuador, Health statistics, Public healthAbstract
Malnutrition is a global public health problem associated with high healthcare costs and increased morbidity and mortality. The objective of this research was to identify the degree of chronic childhood malnutrition (CCM) in children under 2 years of age in Ecuador. A descriptive study was conducted through a spatial analysis (country, regional, and provincial levels) based on medical care records reported by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health from 2019 (January) to 2020 (December). CCM was determined at the country, regional, and provincial levels using SPSS statistical software, where its prevalence was identified. At the national level, 376,272 medical visits were made to children under two years of age, of which 52,183 tested positive for this health problem, generating a prevalence of 14%. It was evident that the provinces of Chimborazo (25%), Santa Elena (24%), and Bolívar (21%) exceed 20% of DCI; in the Costa region, there are a greater number of children treated; however, in the Sierra region, the prevalence of this problem was higher (17.6%). It was confirmed that having a greater number of people treated does not guarantee a higher prevalence, and that the self-identified indigenous population is associated with a low-income population and lacks resources related to health and education, therefore, having a higher prevalence of DCI.
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Copyright (c) 2025 César Jesús Eras Lévano, Samuel Olegario Iñiguez Jiménez, José Luis Nogales Astete, Abrahán Josue Valenzuela Madera
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