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Malnutrition among pre-school children in Alexandria, Egypt
N el-Sayed1, A G Mohamed, L Nofal
1Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, 165 El-Horrya Avenue, El-Hadara, Alexandria, Egypt.
Insights
This study in Alexandria found that high socioeconomic status and good environmental conditions reduce malnutrition in preschool children. Interventions targeting these factors are recommended to further decrease protein-energy malnutrition.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Malnutrition remains a significant public health concern in developing regions.
- Assessing current malnutrition prevalence and associated factors in preschool children is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting in preschool children in Alexandria, Egypt.
- To identify sociodemographic, environmental, and health-related factors associated with malnutrition in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1,217 children aged 6-71 months using a two-stage cluster sampling technique.
- Data collection included sociodemographic information, morbidity, breastfeeding practices, and anthropometric measurements.
- Statistical analysis employed simple and multiple regression with principal component factor analysis to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates were 15% for stunting, 7.3% for underweight, and 3.6% for wasting.
- High socioeconomic status was linked to lower odds of stunting and underweight.
- Better environmental conditions correlated with reduced stunting, while increased child age and non-squatter residence were associated with wasting.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic and environmental improvements are key to reducing malnutrition in preschool children.
- Targeted interventions focusing on improving living conditions can effectively combat protein-energy malnutrition.
- Continued monitoring and assessment are necessary to address nutritional challenges in vulnerable populations.
Abstract:
The study was conducted in Alexandria, Egypt, to assess the current status of malnutrition among 1,217 pre-school children aged 6-71 months. A two-stage cluster-sampling technique was used for selecting the sample. Data on sociodemographic and environmental characteristics of the family, morbidity profiles, and breast-feeding patterns were collected from mothers of the children. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and the prevalence of malnutrition was assessed using three indicators, such as stunting, under-weight, and wasting, following the WHO guidelines and cut-off points. Simple and multiple regression analyses were done for examining the factors associated with the occurrence of malnutrition using principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation. Stunting, under-weight, and wasting were observed in 15%, 7.3%, and 3.6% of the children respectively. High-socioeconomic condition was associated with low prevalence of stunting and underweight (OR = 0.67, confidence interval (CI) = 0.55-0.8 and OR = 0.75, CI = 0.58-0.96 respectively). Good environmental condition was associated with a lower stunting rate (OR = 0.83, CI = 0.72-0.96). Increased age of child and living in a non-squatter area were associated with wasting (OR = 1.02, CI = 1.001-1.03 and OR = 0.38, CI = 0.15-0.97 respectively). Interventions to improve socioeconomic and environmental situations are recommended to reduce the already low level of protein-energy malnutrition further.
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