Table 3 Comparison of caregivers’ practices and resources between cases and controls
From: Risk factors of malnutrition among preschool children in Terengganu, Malaysia: a case control study
Variables | Case (n = 137) | Control (n = 137) |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | n (%) | n (%) | p value |
Duration of exclusive breast feeding | Â | Â | 0.080 |
  < 6 months | 73 (54.1) | 87 (64.4) |  |
  ≥ 6 months | 62 (45.9) | 48 (35.6) |  |
Weaning age | Â | Â | 0.780 |
  0-3 months | 13 (9.5) | 12 (8.8) |  |
  4-6 months | 115 (84) | 113 (82.5) |  |
  7 months and above | 9 (6.5) | 12 (8.7) |  |
Child’s birth weight |  |  | <0.001 |
  Low birth weight (<2.5 kg) | 35 (25.5) | 7 (5.1) |  |
Frequency of child’s illness (fever/diarrhoea/flu) |  | <0.001 | |
  Every month | 51 (37.2) | 20 (14.6) |  |
  Once in 2 months | 20 (14.6) | 18 (13.1) |  |
  Rarely (>3 months) | 66 (48.2) | 99 (72.3) |  |
History of child’s worm infection (yes) | 43 (31.4) | 23 (16.8) | 0.005 |
Mother’s use of family planning (yes) | 67 (48.9) | 77 (56.2) | 0.230 |
Person who has autonomy in determining household expenses | 0.460 | ||
  Mother | 61 (44.5) | 71 (51.8) |  |
  Father | 73 (53.3) | 64 (46.7) |  |
  Grandparent | 3 (2.2) | 2 (1.5) |  |
Mother’s personally own asset (yes) | 41 (29.9) | 66 (48.2) | 0.002 |
BMI status of the mother | Â | Â | 0.014 |
  Underweight (<18.5 kg/m2) | 14 (10.2) | 2 (1.5) |  |
  Normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m2) | 53 (38.7) | 48 (35) |  |
  Overweight/obesity (≥23 kg/m2) | 70 (51.1) | 87 (63.5) |  |