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Mathematics anxiety (MA) has a debilitating impact on learning, achievement, mental health, and the future career life of students. Though MA is a popular research theme, there is little agreement among researchers regarding the cross-cultural effect of gender. The purpose of this paper was to explore the perceived MA differences among males and females across cultures using the Anxiety Towards Math Scale (ATMS; Muñoz and Mato, 2007). Data were collected between October 2019 and September 2020) from students (N = 4,340) in 12 countries. Using univariate analysis of variance, the results indicate that gender has a significant main effect on MA with females recording higher mean scores than males, [71.816 > 68.118]. Examining the interaction effect of gender and location, significant differences in MA scores exist between males and females across all locations except for Egypt, Malaysia, and Nigeria (Enugu State). Conversely, females reported significantly higher MA scores than males in the rest of the locations, except Iran (Tehran and Qom) and Pakistan (Faisalabad). Gender-based ranking of the top-three locations with high MA scores indicates that females, starting from Malaysia, Thailand (Bangkok), and Nigeria (Enugu State) ranked the highest. Similarly, males beginning from Malaysia, Nigeria (Enugu State), and Thailand (Bangkok) ranked the top-three in MA. The implications are that mathematics teachers need to adopt different culturally-appropriate and gender-focused interventions to support students with MA challenges. Though interpreting the results from this survey need to de done with caution due to the smaller community and national online samples, the role of cross-cultural gender differences in MA cannot be overlooked.

The study was aimed at examining the role of job burnout in predicting counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) among high school teachers. Maslach Burnout Inventory-ES (Maslach, Jackson, & Leiter, 1996) and Counterproductive Work Behavior Checklist-32 (Spector, Fox, Penney, Bruursema, Goh, and Kessler, 2006) were used to measure the constructs. The study comprised two phases. Phase-I of the study aimed at translating the scales from English into Urdu and the Phase-II of the study was carried out to explore the role of three factors of job burnout (including emotional exhaustion, reduced personal accomplishment and depersonalization) in predicting withdrawal abuse, and sabotage (the three forms of CWB). Multiple regression analysis revealed that reduced personal accomplishment and depersonalization were significant positive predictors of withdrawal and sabotage, whereas emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were found to be significant positive predictors of abuse. Limitations and implications have also been discussed.

Background: There is an abundance of studies explaining the separate impact of female employment and household wealth status in reducing malnutrition. However, our study has unraveled the combined impact of maternal employment and household wealth on undernutrition among children under three in Pakistan. Methods: Using a sample of 1093 children under three years of age from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–2018, a binary logistic model was employed to gauge factors influencing the children's undernutrition. Results: Our results indicated that children up to a certain age (three years old) with residence in certain regions (Pakistan) and recent episodes of diarrhea had an increased risk of undernutrition. Conversely, secondary and higher maternal education, access to improved water sources, and sanitation facilities lowered the chances of undernutrition in children under three in Pakistan. The interaction between maternal employment and household wealth showed that maternal employment significantly lowered the risk of stunting, being underweight, and wasting among the average, rich, and richest households; however, it did not contribute to child nutrition among the poorer and poor households. Notably, regardless of whether the mother was employed, the wealth status of being rich and richest reduced the risk of stunting, being underweight, and wasting. Conclusions: In overcoming undernutrition, maternal employment significantly contributed to middle-income households. However, in the richer and richest households, the wealth status played a more crucial role compared to the maternal employment. This indicates that while employment plays a supportive role in household resources, the wealth status is overall more influential in reducing undernutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phubbing, a phenomenon of ignoring others in face-to-face conversations due to mobile phone use, can be assessed using a Phubbing Scale (PS). Recently, the PS has been shortened into an eight-item version, the PS-8. However, psychometric properties of the PS-8 among Iranian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani individuals remain understudied, especially using advanced psychometric testing, such as Rasch and network analyses. Methods: Participants residing in Iran, Bangladesh, and Pakistan (n = 1902; 50.4% females; mean age = 26.3 years) completed the PS-8 and the Internet Disorder Scale-Short Form (IDS9-SF) via an online survey. Network analysis was used to examine if PS-8 items were differentiated from IDS9-SF items; confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure and measurement invariance of the PS-8; Rasch modeling was used to examine the dimensionality of the PS-8 and differential item functioning (DIF). Results: Network analysis showed that PS-8 items were clustered together with a distance to the IDS9-SF items. The CFA results supported a two-factor structure of the PS-8, and the two-factor structure was found to be invariant across countries and women and men. Rasch model results indicated that the two PS-8 subscales were both unidimensional and did not display DIF across countries and gender/sex. Conclusion: The PS-8 is a feasible and robust instrument for healthcare providers, especially mental health professionals, to quickly assess and evaluate individuals' phubbing behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was intended to examine the effect of psychosocial factors on the stigma of mental illness among people addicted to drugs who have relapsed in Punjab, Pakistan. A sample composed of 116 people addicted to drugs and who have relapsed was collected through the purposive sampling technique. Certain self-report measures were used to assess the pertinent study variables. The results elucidated that self-efficacy, social support, and conscientiousness were found to be negative predictors and neuroticism a positive predictor of stigma. The results also confirmed social support as being a significant moderator in the relationship between self-efficacy and stigma, and self-efficacy as being a significant moderator in the relationship between social support and stigma. It was safe to conclude that psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy, social support, personality traits and stigma have a significant role in causing addiction relapse. The conclusions made have been discussed thoroughly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lockdown after the COVID-19 pandemic not only caused public health crises and income stress but also put millions at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition across the globe, especially in low and middle-income countries [LMICs]. This study evaluated the effects of financial stress and household socio-economic deprivation on the nutritional status of 1551 children under the age of five during COVID-19 in Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was used between November 2020 and April 2021 to collect information on age, height, children's weight, and socio-economic status from 1152 rural households from underdeveloped regions in Punjab, Pakistan. With the help of the proportionate simple random sampling method, this study employed a model (binary logistic regression) to calculate the likelihood of malnourishment. The findings showed that the stunting, underweight, and wasting prevalence rates during COVID-19 were 58.86%, 41.89%, and 8.11%, respectively, in the Bahawalpur region. According to the binary logistic regression analysis, among the household deprivation status (HDS) categories, the risks of childhood malnutrition were lesser in HDS-2 (OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0. 005–0.879) and HDS-3 (OR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.008–0.193). Similar to this, within the financial stress index (FSI) categories, the children in homes with medium financial stress had reduced odds of malnutrition (OR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.018–0.567), and the children in households with low financial stress had reduced risks of malnutrition (OR = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.005–0.061). The proposed research found that stunting and underweight increased by 17.26% and 12.29% during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Bahawalpur region. Additionally, financial stress and socio-economic deprivation strongly affected children's nutritional statuses during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Bahawalpur region of Southern Punjab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The vulnerability and prevalence of common psychiatric illnesses, that is, anxiety and depression are very high at the time of pregnancy in the socio‐cultural context of Southeast Asian low‐ middle‐income countries' pregnant women. However, the issue remains poorly understood despite the fact that pregnancy can be stressful for women, their families and is strongly connected with marital quality and perceived social support. The present study examines the impact of anxiety proneness, marital satisfaction, and perceived social support on fear of childbirth and development of depression among pregnant women. Design and Methods: Participants were purposively selected 136 pregnant women who were in the third trimester with ages ranging between 19 and 35 years and were selected through a purposive sampling technique from six hospitals in Pakistan. The STICSA, RAS, MSPSS, CAQ, and PADQ scales and questionnaires were used as study tools. Findings: Anxiety proneness positively predicted childbirth fear and depression; marital satisfaction and perceived presence of social support were negative predictors among pregnant women. Practice Implications: Obstetricians, nurses, midwives, and mental health professionals can imply these findings towards developing targeted antenatal programs that focus on the pregnant woman's mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenging job demands are those which require the use of high energy and thus may impair health but bring positive consequences too. The present study aimed to construct a measure for challenging job demands for university teachers. Methods: The study is based upon the model developed by Makhdoom and Malik (2018) which proposed three challenging job demands including Regulatory Load, Social Load, and Cognitive Demands. On the basis of the literature review, Time Pressure was also studied as a factor. First of all, the authors created an initial item pool of 19 items which were categorized into four factors. The finalized item pool was administered on two independent samples drawn from various universities of Pakistan. In the first stage, the university teachers (N = 201) from three universities of the Punjab province were approached. EFA concluded three-factor and 13 items, which were then administered upon a sample of university teachers (N = 600). Results: The CFA confirmed the three-factor structure of challenging job demands including Time Pressure, Cognitive Demands and Social Load. All the fit indices were within an acceptable range. The values of factor loadings and Cronbach Alpha justified the internal consistency and psychometric soundness of the newly developed measure. Discussion: The study concludes a psychometrically sound scale to measure challenging job demands in university teachers which will be helpful in future studies. The limitations of the study along with suggestions for future research and important theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are often comorbid mental health issues in older adults. The current study explored the prospective mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between depression and the quality of life in elderly with MCI. A second aim was to examine differences in depression, loneliness, and the quality of life in the elderly with MCI among gender groups, and type of residence groups. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey with purposive sampling was used. Older adults with MCI (N = 170) from old age homes in Lahore and Rawalpindi (n = 82) and family residences in Sargodha (n = 88) in Pakistan completed UCLA Loneliness Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Mild Cognitive Impairment Scale. Results: Most of the participants had severe to extreme depression (98.2%), and moderate to moderately high levels of loneliness (85.3%). Depression was significantly associated with loneliness (b = 0.29, P < 0.05) and poor quality of life in MCI (b = 0.49, P < 0.001). The indirect effect of depression on the quality of life in MCI through loneliness was significant (95% confidence interval (CI) [0.002, 0.156]). However, the indirect effect of quality of life in MCI on depression through loneliness was not significant (95% CI [−0.001, 0.043]). The elderly with MCI living in old age homes had higher depression, loneliness, and poor quality of life. Elderly women had higher levels of depression and poor quality of life, whereas older men were lonelier. Conclusion: The relationship between depression and quality of life in the elderly with MCI may be bidirectional, and loneliness partially mediates only one of these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prime objective of the current study was assimilating and extending the knowledge as well as insights which are from earlier researches and exploring the impact of social adjustment, emotional stability on hope, and happiness of old age home residents. Design: Cross-sectional survey research design with purposive sampling was used. Place and duration of study: Present study was conducted in Pakistan in Feb-Dec 2020. Subject and Method: Older adults (N = 150), including Men (n = 75) and women (n = 75) age range 65 years to 85 years (M= 69.65; SD= 5.58), from old homes in Lahore and Rawalpindi of Pakistan, completed the Social Adjustment scale, Neuroticism subscales of NEO FFI), Subjective Happiness Scale), and Dispositional Hope Scale. Results and Conclusion: Pearson correlation indicated a significant correlation among all study variables. Linear regression analysis indicated that social adjustment and emotional stability are positive predictors of hope and happiness. Moreover, the effect of demographic variable (gender) was also determined. Findings from the t-test depicted that emotional stability, happiness and hope is high in older men than older women. So as a current study planned to investigate the impact of social adjustment, emotional stability on hope and happiness of old age home residents, the study's findings revealed that social adjustment and emotional stability are a significantly positive impact on hope and happiness. The findings are also beneficial for its implication in issues related to gerontology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was a single-group pre-test and post-test design; it was conducted to see the effectiveness of academic interventions (Shaw, 2005) on developmental skills (adaptive, personal-social, communication, motor, and cognitive) of slow learners having borderline intelligence. Eight slow learners were identified through subjective ratings based on teacher's appraisal and attained achievement scores in respective grades and scores attained on Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM; Raven, Court, & Raven, 1977) during screening. Boys (n = 6) and girls (n = 2) of ages ranging from six years to six years and 11 months of age were purposefully selected from two private-sector schools of District and Tehsil Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Developmental skills of slow learners were measured by Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI-2; Newborg, 2004); assessment and screening was followed by academic intervention. Quantitative analyses revealed that academic interventions were highly effective in enhancing the developmental skills of slow learners' adaptive, communication, and cognitive developmental skills. However, these interventions remained silent and failed to show any positive effect on personalsocial and motor skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Aside from personal beliefs, young adults' intention to uptake the COVID‐19 vaccine can be influenced by their fear of COVID‐19 and perceived infectability of COVID‐19. The present study incorporated fear of COVID‐19 and perceived infectability with the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to form an expanded TPB to analyze factors affecting Pakistani young adults' intentions to uptake the COVID‐vaccine in Pakistan. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted and recruited participants from Pakistani social media users. The proposed extended TPB model was examined by using structural equation modeling. Results: A total of 1034 individuals replied to the survey. The three factors of the original theory of planned behavior and the fear of COVID‐19 were positively related to their intention to uptake COVID‐19 vaccination (r = 0.25‐0.66). Moreover, the perceived infectability positively influenced the three theories of planned behavioral factors and the fear of COVID‐19 (r = 0.27‐0.60), also affecting the participants' intentions to uptake COVID‐19 vaccination. Conclusions: Perceived infectability was positively related to the participants' intentions to uptake COVID‐19 vaccination, and perceived behavioral control was the strongest mediator. More evidence‐based information concerning treatments and COVID‐19 vaccination are needed to encourage individuals to uptake the vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined access to water, food, and nutrition programs among marginalized communities in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, and their effects on nutrition. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in this study. We held two focus group discussions (one with 10 males and one with 10 females) and conducted in-depth interviews with 15 key stakeholders, including 20 mothers and 10 healthcare providers. A survey of 235 households was carried out to evaluate water and food insecurity, with the data analyzed using Wilcoxon's rank-sum test, t -test, and Pearson's chi-square test. The results revealed that 90% of households experienced moderate-to-severe water insecurity, and 73% faced moderate-to-severe food insecurity. Household water and food insecurity were positively correlated with each other (correlation coefficient = 0.205; p = 0.004). Greater household water ( p = 0.028) and food insecurity ( p < 0.001) were both associated with higher perceived stress. Furthermore, lower socioeconomic status was strongly related to higher levels of water ( p < 0.001) and food insecurity ( p < 0.001). Qualitative findings highlight the impact of colonial and post-colonial policies, which have resulted in water injustice, supply issues, and corruption in water administration. Women face significant challenges in fetching water, including stigma, harassment, and gender vulnerabilities, leading to conflicts and injuries. Water scarcity and poor quality adversely affect sanitation, hygiene, and breastfeeding practices among lactating mothers. Structural adjustment policies have exacerbated inflation and reduced purchasing power. Respondents reported a widespread lack of dietary diversity and food quality. Nutrition programs face obstacles such as the exclusion of people with low social and cultural capital, underfunding, weak monitoring, health sector corruption, and the influence of formula milk companies allied with the medical community and bureaucracy. This study concludes that addressing the macro-political and economic causes of undernutrition should be prioritized to improve nutrition security in Pakistan.

Issue: Biomedical approaches want to change locals' behaviors without understanding the sociocultural rationales and contextualizing the cultural and structural backdrop of women's agency., Objectives: This study explored the perceptions and practices of rural mothers about fertility and reproductive health and further examine the lack of preference for contraception and birth spacing in Southern Pakistan., Methodology: Using purposive sampling we recruited 15 healthcare providers and 20 mothers from Southern Punjab. Key informants and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. We extracted themes and sub themes to analyse qualitative data., Findings: Five major themes identified preventing birth spacing and contraceptive use: (1) cultural barriers (2) economic difficulties and demographic factors; (3) gender-related hurdles; (4) spiritual and religious obstacles, and (5) medico-ethical complications. Nearly, ten sub-themes contributing to these major themes were: custom of girls' early marriages, in-laws' permission for contraception, women's concern for medical complications and preference for safer methods, misuse of contraceptive methods by the medical community, mothers' perception of contraception as sinful act and controlling birth is against faith, economic and rural-ethnic factors for high fertility, masculine disapproval of condom use, and wishing to give birth to male children., Suggestions: We advocate for understanding the sociocultural explanations for low contraceptive use and urge practice of more natural methods of birth spacing over commercial solutions. The study suggests socio-economic development of less developed communities and empowerment of poor, illiterate, and rural women along with behavior change communication strategies., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study utilizes recent nationally representative data to contextualize the standard maternal continuum of care (SMCoC) in Pakistan. The revised SMCoC framework encompasses at least eight antenatal care visits, skilled birth attendants during delivery, and postnatal care within 48 h of childbirth., Methods: The study used a sample of 3,887 ever-married women aged 15-49 from the latest Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) conducted in 2017-18. Several statistical methods were employed: descriptive statistics, bivariate, multilevel logistic regression models, and Fairlie decomposition analysis., Results: Only 12% of women had accessed full SMCoC services in Pakistan. Education and the wealth quintile emerged as pivotal factors influencing the utilization of SMCoC. The likelihood of full SMCC utilization was more likely among higher educated women (OR: 3.37; 95% CI: 2.16-5.25) and those belonging to the wealthiest household wealth quintile (OR: 4.95; 95% CI: 2.33-5.51). Media exposure, autonomy, healthcare accessibility, residence, and region were also identified as significant predictors of SMCoC utilization among women., Conclusion: In conclusion, while most women did not utilize full SMCoC services in Pakistan, the pattern is substantially varied by background characteristics. Education, wealth quintile, mass media exposure, and autonomy were significant factors, along with geographical aspects such as healthcare accessibility and region. The study underscores the need for a multifaceted approach to ensure equitable access to full SMCoC services for women in Pakistan, addressing individual, socioeconomic, and geographical factors., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Rahaman, Roy, Chouhan, Malik, Bashir, Ahmed and Tang.)

Introduction: Appropriate health-seeking beliefs and practices are indispensable for the survival and development of children. In this study, we explore childcare beliefs and practices of rural mothers and analyze the different ways childhood illness is diagnosed and managed in a marginalized rural community in Southern Pakistan., Methods: Using purposive sampling, in-depth interviews are conducted to obtain qualitative data from 20 illiterate and rural mothers in addition to 15 healthcare providers in the district Rajanpur of South Punjab., Results and Discussion: The findings reveal that rural mothers' access to healthcare and therapeutic programs is impeded due to geographical isolation, structural inequalities, poverty, and illiteracy. Consequently, evil eyes, witchcraft, and spirits are recognized as potential threats to children's health and nutrition. Therefore, the treatment of childhood morbidity and malnutrition is mostly performed with folk, domestic, herbal, magico-religious remedies, and spiritual healing methods. The current study also highlights that many low-income and rural mothers tend to normalize childhood illness when they become unable to advocate for their children's health and nutrition. Besides improving low-income mothers' access to healthcare facilities, health education and risk communication at the field level through field health staff could be most effective for health promotion., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Ahmed, Malik, Zia, Akbar, Li, Shahid and Tang.)

This study accesses the impact of lady health worker (LHWs) visits in the community and distance to a healthcare facility on the nutritional status of under-five children. Additionally, it explores the perceptions and attitudes of the community about the performance of LHWs. A self-administered instrument was applied to gather data on different parameters, such as children's height, age, weight, and socioeconomic status from 384 rural households in a marginalized district of Punjab province with the help of a purposive random sampling technique. The binary logistic regression model was employed for the computation of the probability of malnutrition. The prevalences of stunting, underweight children, and wasting in the district were 34.8%, 46.1%, and 15.5%, respectively. The logistic results illustrate that those households in which LHW visits occur regularly within 15 days (OR = 0.28 with 95% CI: 0.09-0.82) have a lower probability of malnutrition prevalence among their children. The distance to the health facility shows that the odds of malnutrition were higher from 3-4 Kilometers (Km) (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 0.85-8.14), and odds were also higher for the ≥5 km category (OR = 2.88, 95% CI: 0.94-8.82). Children from richer families had lower chances of being malnourished (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.07-1.14). Furthermore, the respondents show a positive attitude towards LHWs. They have given the first rank to their performance being beneficial to mothers and childcare, especially on checkups and safe deliveries, while they have shown negative responses and given lower ranks to their performance due to irregular visits (6th rank) and poor community awareness (7th rank). We conclude that LHWs' regular visits to targeted households and less distance to healthcare facilities reduce the malnutrition risk in under-five children.

Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a serious public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therapeutic programs are often considered the most effective solution to this problem. However, multiple social and structural factors challenge the social inclusion, sustainability, and effectiveness of such programs. In this article, we aim to explore how poor and remote households face structural inequities and social exclusion in accessing nutrition-specific programs in Pakistan. The study specifically highlights significant reasons for the low coverage of the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program in one of the most marginalized districts of south Punjab. Qualitative data are collected using in-depth interviews and FGDs with mothers and health and nutrition officials. The study reveals that mothers' access to the program is restricted by multiple structural, logistical, social, and behavioral causes. At the district level, certain populations are served, while illiterate, and poor mothers with lower cultural capital from rural and remote areas are neglected. The lack of funding for nutrition causes the deprioritization of nutrition by the health bureaucracy. The subsequent work burden on Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and the lack of proper training of field staff impact the screening of SAM cases. Moreover, medical corruption in the distribution of therapeutic food, long distances, traveling or staying difficulties, the lack of social capital, and the stigmatization of mothers are other prominent difficulties. The study concludes that nutrition governance in Pakistan must address these critical challenges so that optimal therapeutic coverage can be achieved.

Inadequate feeding is one of the most critical underlying determinants of child malnutrition. In this study, we explore infant young child feeding (IYCF) and deconstruct breastfeeding barriers in mothers of severely malnourished children in one of the most marginalized districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. Using purposive sampling, 20 lactating mothers are recruited for open-ended semi-structured interviews. Results reveal that barriers to immediate and exclusive breastfeeding include the introduction of pre-lacteal, butter, and cow or formula milk by mothers and grandmothers. Birthing difficulties and ritualizing prelacteal to transfer religion and culture cause the delay of early initiation of breastmilk. The colostrum is also discarded based on its weird physical look. Moreover, household circumstances, limited diet, extra workload, and mental stress associated with marital relationships are other significant barriers. Mothers perceive their breastmilk as thin, impotent, and of bad quality and often complain against breastmilk insufficiency due to general weakness. Furthermore, poor mothers reduce breastfeeding when the fertility burden is high, especially if a female baby is in their womb. Alternatively, outer milk is recommended but washing bottles with detergents often becomes frequent. In conclusion, immediacy, exclusivity, frequency, and duration of breastfeeding are circumscribed owing to multiple social, cultural, and economic causes. Therefore, a holistic approach combining cultural and structural causes might be more relevant for successful IYCF practices in marginalized communities of Pakistan., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Ahmed, Malik, Shahzad, Ahmad, Shahid, Feng and Guo.)

Maternal nutritional awareness might reduce the risk of malnutrition in children. This study assesses the impact of mothers' nutritional and health awareness (MNHA) on the nutritional status of pre-school children in rural South Punjab. Using a proportionate purposive simple random sampling technique we collect data with the help of a self-administered questionnaire on height, age, the weight of children, and socio-economic profile from 384 rural households in one of the marginalized districts of Punjab. The study applied the binary logistic regression model to compute the probability of malnutrition. The results indicate that malnutrition was high in the district (the prevalence rate for underweight is 46.1%, for stunting 34.83%, and for wasting is 15.49%). Around 91.84% of malnourished children belonged to the low MNHA category compared to medium (5.61%) and high (2.55%) MNHA categories. The results further show that the prevalence of moderate and severe stunting, wasting, and underweight in low MNHA categories was much higher with large differences compared to both medium and high MNHA categories. The binary logistic regression results depict that, across the household deprivation index (HDS), the odds of a child becoming malnourished were lower in households HDS-2 category (OR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01-0.89), and odds were also lower in households HDS-3 category (OR = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.001-0.16). Similarly, across the scores of MNHA index, the odds of malnutrition were lower among the children of those mothers who had medium MNHA (OR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.002-1.24), and also the probability of child malnutrition was lower among the children of mothers who had high MNHA (OR = 0.008, 95% CI: 0.002-0.29). The study urges that well-resourced, targeted, and coordinated health and nutritional education and awareness programs are required to tackle malnutrition., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Shahid, Cao, Ahmed, Raza, Guo, Malik, Rauf, Qureshi, Saheed and Maryam.)