Child malnutrition in Haiti: progress despite disasters
Mohamed Ag Ayoya1, Rebecca Heidkamp2, Ismael Ngnie-Teta1
1UNICEF Country Office, Nutrition Section , Port-au-Prince , Haiti.
Global Health, Science and Practice
|October 3, 2014
Summary
Child undernutrition in Haiti significantly decreased between 2005-06 and 2012. Key indicators like stunting and wasting showed marked declines, offering a positive public health outlook for children under five.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Global Health
Background:
- Undernutrition is a critical factor in child mortality in developing nations, with Haiti facing significant challenges.
- The 2010 earthquake and subsequent cholera outbreak necessitated extensive relief efforts, impacting public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in child undernutrition in Haiti before and after the 2010 disasters.
- To assess changes in stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence among children under five.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 2005-06 Haiti Demographic and Health Survey (HDHS) and a 2012 Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) survey.
- Analyzed growth data for 2,463 (HDHS) and 4,727 (SMART) children aged 0-59 months using WHO 2006 growth standards.
- Applied probability weights to account for sampling design and used non-overlapping confidence intervals to determine statistical significance.
Main Results:
- Stunting prevalence decreased from 28.5% (2005-06) to 22.2% (2012).
- Wasting prevalence dropped from 10.1% (2005-06) to 4.3% (2012).
- Underweight prevalence declined from 17.7% (2005-06) to 10.5% (2012).
- Stunting reduction was more pronounced in rural areas compared to urban areas.
Conclusions:
- Child undernutrition in Haiti experienced a significant decline between 2005-06 and 2012.
- The observed improvements should be considered alongside investments and changes in various sectors post-2010 disasters.
- Further investigation is needed to understand the reasons for differential stunting reduction in rural versus urban settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Overview of Protein Metabolism
4.4K
Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
4.4K
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
2.0K
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
2.0K
01:10Nature and Nurture
19.3K
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
19.3K
01:20Inborn Errors of Metabolism
1.1K
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
1.1K
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
1.9K
Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
1.9K
01:24Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation
2.8K
During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...
2.8K