Factors associated with malnutrition among tribal children in India: a non-parametric approach
Debnath, A.; Bhattacharjee, N.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 60(3): 211-215
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1465-3664 PMID: 24415743 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/fmt106Document Number: 626478
The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of malnutrition among the tribal children in India. The investigation is based on secondary data compiled from the National Family Health Survey-3. We used a classification and regression tree model, a non-parametric approach, to address the objective. Our analysis shows that breastfeeding practice, economic status, antenatal care of mother and women's decision-making autonomy are negatively associated with malnutrition among tribal children. We identify maternal malnutrition and urban concentration of household as the two risk factors for child malnutrition. The identified associated factors may be used for designing and targeting preventive programmes for malnourished tribal children.