Risk Factors for acute Malnutrition among Preschool Children in Al- Mahweet governorate, Yemen, 2021
- Nutrition
Background
During 2021, in Yemen, over 2.25 million children under the age of five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of malnutrition among preschool children in Al-Mahweet governorate, Yemen, 2021
Methods
A case-control study was carried out among under five children attending the Nutrition Surveillance Centers (NSCs). A semi-structured questionnaire was used. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors of acute malnutrition
Results
A total of 378 under five children (126 cases and 252 controls) were enrolled. The illiterate mother (COR 2.2, 95%CI = 1.4–3.6), the family size ≥5 (COR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.8),recurrent diarrhea (COR 2.4, CI= 1.4–3.9), cough and cold (COR 2.0, CI 95% = 1.2–3.1), powder and cow milk, rice and potatoes as complementary foods (COR 3.3, 95% 2.1 - 5.2, COR 1.8, 95% CI= 1.0 -3.4, COR2.0,95% CI 1.2-3.1 respectively , low family income (COR 1.6, 95% CI=1.0–2.5), children number >3 (COR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.5), go bed night hungry (COR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2- 3.1), and borrow food or money to purchase food (COR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.6) were significantly associated with acute malnutrition among cases . Multivariable logistic regression documented, child illnesses (AOR 3.0, 95% CI (1.8-4.9), type of complementary food(i.e. powder and cow milk (AOR 4.0, 95% CI (2.4-4.7), and household borrow food/ money to purchase food(AOR 2.8 ,95% CI (1.7-4.7) as determinants for malnutrition
Conclusion
Child with illnesses, powder and cow milk as complementary food and household borrow food or money to purchase food were the main risk predictors for acute malnutrition. There is a need to plan composite interventions to reveal the factors that place children at greater risk for acute malnutrition.
During 2021, in Yemen, over 2.25 million children under the age of five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. This study aimed to identify the risk factors of malnutrition among preschool children in Al-Mahweet governorate, Yemen, 2021
Methods
A case-control study was carried out among under five children attending the Nutrition Surveillance Centers (NSCs). A semi-structured questionnaire was used. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors of acute malnutrition
Results
A total of 378 under five children (126 cases and 252 controls) were enrolled. The illiterate mother (COR 2.2, 95%CI = 1.4–3.6), the family size ≥5 (COR 2.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.8),recurrent diarrhea (COR 2.4, CI= 1.4–3.9), cough and cold (COR 2.0, CI 95% = 1.2–3.1), powder and cow milk, rice and potatoes as complementary foods (COR 3.3, 95% 2.1 - 5.2, COR 1.8, 95% CI= 1.0 -3.4, COR2.0,95% CI 1.2-3.1 respectively , low family income (COR 1.6, 95% CI=1.0–2.5), children number >3 (COR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.5), go bed night hungry (COR 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2- 3.1), and borrow food or money to purchase food (COR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.6) were significantly associated with acute malnutrition among cases . Multivariable logistic regression documented, child illnesses (AOR 3.0, 95% CI (1.8-4.9), type of complementary food(i.e. powder and cow milk (AOR 4.0, 95% CI (2.4-4.7), and household borrow food/ money to purchase food(AOR 2.8 ,95% CI (1.7-4.7) as determinants for malnutrition
Conclusion
Child with illnesses, powder and cow milk as complementary food and household borrow food or money to purchase food were the main risk predictors for acute malnutrition. There is a need to plan composite interventions to reveal the factors that place children at greater risk for acute malnutrition.