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Malnutrition determinants in young children from Burkina Faso

Claudia Beiersmann1, Justo Bermejo Lorenzo, Mamadou Bountogo

  • 1Institute of Public Health, University Hospital Heidelberg, INF 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|June 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Childhood malnutrition in Burkina Faso is high, influenced by village, age, religion, and siblings. Wasting (low weight-for-length z-score) was linked to these factors in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Childhood malnutrition is a significant public health issue in low-income nations.
  • Data on malnutrition determinants among African children are limited.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for effective intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the determinants of childhood malnutrition in Burkina Faso.
  • To analyze the association between various factors and wasting in young children.
  • To provide data for public health initiatives in West Africa.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight villages in Burkina Faso in June 2009.
  • Data were collected from 460 children aged 6-31 months, including demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and anthropometric characteristics.
  • Multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant associations with weight-for-length (WFL) z-score (wasting).

Main Results:

  • Village, age group, religion, and the presence of younger siblings were significantly associated with wasting.
  • Mean WFL z-scores varied by up to one unit across villages.
  • Children aged 24-35 months had a higher mean WFL z-score (0.63 units) compared to younger children.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood malnutrition remains unacceptably high in rural West Africa.
  • Malnutrition is a complex issue influenced by contextual variables.
  • Further research and targeted interventions are needed to address malnutrition determinants.

Keywords:
Africachildrencross-sectional surveydeterminantsmalnutrition

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