This indicator captures the percentage of women who exhibit signs of malnutrition, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5, specifically focusing on those who have given birth in the three years leading up to the survey. This measure is crucial for understanding maternal health, as a low BMI can significantly affect both maternal wellbeing and child health outcomes. It is calculated by taking the ratio of weight in kilograms to the square of height in meters (kg/m²), and intentionally excludes pregnant women and those who are within three months postpartum to ensure accurate assessment. High prevalence rates in this cohort may indicate broader nutritional deficiencies and can highlight areas where public health interventions are urgently needed to support female nutrition and health education.
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