Factors Associated with Malnutrition Among Under-Five Rohingya Refugee Children in CoxsBazar, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition among under five Rohingya refugee children living in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh. Design: Community based cross sectional study. Setting: Rohingya refugee camps, Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh. Participants: A total of 256 children aged 6 to 59 months residing in refugee camps were enrolled through convenience sampling. Primary outcome measures: Stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight, measured using WHO standards. Results: The prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight were 34.4%, 17.6%, 18.9%, and 6.9%, respectively. Age was inversely associated with stunting (AOR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.99, p=0.006). Male children had higher odds of wasting compared to females (AOR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.34 to 3.07, p=0.001). Children from poor households were more likely to be stunted (AOR=2.42, 95% CI: 1.31 to 4.48) and wasted (AOR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.23 to 6.47). Illiteracy among parents significantly increases the risks of malnutrition. Conclusions: Malnutrition among Rohingya refugee children under five is alarmingly high. Both biological and socioeconomic determinants significantly influence nutritional status. Urgent multisectoral interventions addressing food security, parental education, and sanitation are required.