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Migrations and nutritional status in the sahel
P Autier1, J P D'Altilia, B Callewaert
1European Association for Health and Development (AEDES) rue Joseph II, 34 - Brussels 1030 Belgium.
Disasters
|October 21, 2010
Summary
Migration in the Sahel helps peasants adapt to food scarcity. As more homes are abandoned due to food shortages, malnutrition rates decrease, indicating migration
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Demography
- Public Health
Background:
- Migration is a crucial coping mechanism for agricultural communities in the Sahel facing variable food availability.
- Food shortages significantly impact population dynamics and health outcomes in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between migration patterns and malnutrition prevalence in the Sahel.
- To assess the effectiveness of migration as an adaptive strategy to food insecurity.
- To evaluate the utility of malnutrition rates as an indicator for nutritional surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Cluster sample studies were conducted in villages within the Sahel region.
- Data collected included the number of recently abandoned houses as a proxy for migration and malnutrition prevalence.
- Statistical analysis, including linear trend analysis, was used to determine the significance of observed relationships (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- A significant inverse linear trend was observed: increased numbers of abandoned houses correlated with decreased malnutrition prevalence.
- This suggests that migration effectively mitigates malnutrition in areas experiencing food shortages.
- Malnutrition rates were identified as a lagging indicator in nutritional surveillance systems.
Conclusions:
- Migration serves as a vital adaptive strategy for peasant populations in the Sahel to manage food insecurity.
- The study highlights the need for timely indicators beyond malnutrition rates for effective nutritional surveillance in the region.
- Understanding current migration patterns and the impact of drought is essential for developing targeted interventions.
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