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

Cheah, W.L and Wan Manan, Wan Muda and Zabidi Hussin, Z and Chang, C.T (2009) Development of a questionnaire for the study of malnutrition among children in rural Kelantan, Malaysia. Rural and Remote Health, 9 (1155). ISSN 1445-6354

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Abstract

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.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: malnutrition, children, kelantan, questionnaire development, unimas, university, universiti, Borneo, Malaysia, Sarawak, Kuching, Samarahan, ipta, education, research, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Academic Faculties, Institutes and Centres > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Faculties, Institutes, Centres > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Depositing User: Lian
Date Deposited: 22 Mar 2016 06:01
Last Modified: 14 Apr 2016 06:50
URI: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/11059

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