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Protein-energy malnutrition in urban children: prevalence and determinants
Insights
Nearly half of under-five children in Jimma town suffer from protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), with poor housing and diet identified as key risk factors. Interventions must address these multiple causes to improve child nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a significant global health issue affecting children under five.
- Assessing nutritional status and identifying risk factors are crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in under-five children in Jimma town.
- To identify risk factors associated with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 669 children under five in Jimma town.
- Nutritional status assessment including underweight, wasting, and stunting.
- Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses to identify risk factors for PEM.
Main Results:
- 48% of children were malnourished; prevalence of underweight, wasting, and stunting were 36%, 9%, and 36%, respectively.
- Severe PEM (marasmus, kwashiorkor) affected 2% of children.
- Key risk factors identified: poor housing, lack of latrines, prolonged breastfeeding, and inadequate animal food intake.
Conclusions:
- PEM is highly prevalent in Jimma's under-five population, linked to multiple socio-economic and environmental factors.
- Intervention strategies must be multifactorial, addressing housing, sanitation, feeding practices, and dietary quality.
- Targeted interventions are needed to reduce the burden of childhood malnutrition.
Abstract:
Between February and April 1995, 669 under-five children living in Jimma town were randomly selected and had their nutritional status assessed. Risk factors for protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) were also studied. About half (48%) of the children were found to be malnourished. The prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting were 36%, 9% and 36%, respectively. Severe protein-energy malnutrition, i.e., marasmus, kwashiorkor and marasmic-kwashiorkor, was detected in 2%. The prevalence of malnutrition was lowest in infants. While underweight and wasting peaked by the second and third years of life, stunting increased dramatically by the second year and peaked in the fifth year. Poor socio-economic background, poor housing condition, non-availability of latrine, "unprotected" water source, an attack of pertussis, not completing immunization, prolonged breast feeding and nutritionally inadequate diet were found to be risk factors for PEM in the bivariate analyses. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed a strong association between PEM and poor housing condition, non-availability of latrine, prolonged breast feeding and diet lacking in animal food. Intervention measures should take the multifactorial causation of PEM into consideration.