Development of a questionnaire for the study of malnutrition among children in rural Kelantan, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Cheah, W.L, Wan Manan, Wan Muda, Zabidi Hussin, Z, Chang, C.T
• Format: E-Article
• Language: English
• Published: Deakin University 2009
• Subjects: RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/11059/1/5.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/11059/; http://www.rrh.org.au/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Introduction Historical data have shown the contributing factors underlying malnutrition among children are diverse, multi-sectoral, interrelated. These entail biological, social, cultural, and economic factors. To determine the contributing factors, the development of an accurate and reliable questionnaire is essential. Method Based on a previously described conceptual framework of malnutrition in children, this study was conducted in two phases. During the first phase, an in-depth interview of 20 health workers who provide direct care to malnourished children in the study was conducted using semi-structured questionnaire. Based on the findings, a theoretical framework was generated to assist the development of quantitative questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed and then tested using quantitative approach to establish its reliability and validity. Results Qualitative analysis of the in-depth interview revealed 17 items which were used to build a conceptual framework for questionnaire development. The questionnaire later was administered to 295 children and their parents/caregivers, with 28.76-35.28% of their children showed sign of malnutrition in the form of stunting, wasting, and underweight. Exploratory factor analysis showed two factors: environmental and behavioral. Composite reliability for environmental factor was 0.70, and 0.74 for behavioral factor. The quantitative findings showed that fourteen items were identified. The items generated were further tested and factor loadings showed that they can be loaded into 2 factors. Conclusion The instrument developed appeared to be a potentially valid and reliable tool to determine the contributing factors for malnutrition amongst children in rural and poor communities in Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia.