Background & Aims: The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition has been a ‎prudent decrease in all malnutrition levels. ‎However, it is one of the important ‎health problems in the west Azerbaijan province .In this study we determine  ‎the  prevalence of malnutrition among children less than 5 years and identify ‎hot points of  using Geographic Information System in West Azerbaijan ‎province.‎

Materials & Methods: In cross-sectional study based on a cluster sampling, weight and height of ‎ ‎‎3341 children between 0-59 months ‎old in West Azerbaijan province in 2008 year were gathered. ‎Z scores calculated for three indicators: height for age, weight ‎for height and weight for age‏ ‏‎.Geographical distribution pattern of underweight, stunting, and wasting indicators‎ in ‎1‎‎4‎ districts of the ‎province depicted by Geographical Information System (ARC GIS 9.3)‎ software. ‎

Results:  8.7%, 7.5% and 4.3 % of the children aged less than five years suffered from stunting, wasting, and underweight respectively ‎the prevalence of ‎ malnutrition indexes varies at districts level of this province. The prevalence of ‎stunting (30.5%) and wasting (9.6%) were highest among piranshahr and sardasht children ‎respectively .The prevalence of stunting significantly higher among rural vs urban ‎children ‎(P<0.05), although there is no significant difference between wasting and underweight ‎among rural vs urban areas‏‎(P>0.05)‎‏. ‏‎ ‎

Conclusion: The prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition was twofold higher ‎than mean national level among ‎children under five years old piranshar district were classified as high prevalence of malnutrition (eight fold of ‎natial level) .  It appears that subjective strategies are required to improve the nutritional and ‎health, socioeconomic ‎indicators in this province. ‎

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2013: 24(3): 209 ISSN: 1027-3727