Wasting and Underweight in Northern African Children: Findings from Multiple-Indicator Cluster Surveys, 2014-2018
Nagwa Farag Elmighrabi1,2,3, Catharine A K Fleming1,4, Kingsley E Agho1,4,5
1School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia.
Insights
Child malnutrition, including wasting and underweight, is prevalent in Northern Africa. Key predictors include rural residence, poverty, low maternal education, and poor dietary diversity, necessitating targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Northern Africa experiences significant challenges impacting child nutrition.
- Child malnutrition, specifically wasting and underweight, poses a severe public health concern in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key predictors of wasting and underweight in children aged 0-59 months across Northern Africa.
- To analyze factors contributing to malnutrition in different age groups (0-23, 24-59, and 0-59 months).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pooled cross-sectional data from multiple-indicator cluster surveys in Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia.
- Involved 37,816 children aged 0-59 months.
- Logistic regression analysis accounting for survey design (clustering and sampling weights).
Main Results:
- Overall prevalence: 7.2% wasting, 12.1% underweight (0-59 months).
- Highest rates in Sudan and Algeria (wasting), Sudan and Egypt (underweight).
- Significant predictors: child age, country, rural residency, poor wealth index, male sex, birth order, maternal education, maternal BMI, media use, lack of diverse foods, prolonged breastfeeding, perceived small baby size, and diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- Child malnutrition in Northern Africa is multifactorial, influenced by socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related factors.
- Targeted interventions focusing on maternal education, family planning, and improving dietary diversity in underprivileged areas are crucial.
- Community engagement and addressing underlying determinants are essential for improving child nutrition outcomes.
Abstract:
Northern Africa faces multiple severe detrimental factors that impact child nutrition. This study aimed to identify the predictors for wasting and underweight in children aged 0-59 months in Northern Africa. We analysed pooled cross-sectional data from multiple-indicator cluster surveys conducted in four countries (Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia) involving 37,816 children aged 0-59 months. A logistic regression analysis was used, considering clustering and sampling weights, to identify factors associated with wasting and underweight among children aged 0-23, 24-59, and 0-59 months. Among children aged 0-59 months, the overall prevalence was 7.2% (95% CI: 6.8-7.5) for wasting and 12.1% (95% CI:11.7-12.5) for underweight. Sudan and Algeria had the highest rates of wasting, while Sudan and Egypt had the highest rates of underweight. Multiple regression analyses indicate that factors associated with wasting and being underweight include child age, country, rural residency, poor wealth index, being male, birth order, maternal education, body mass index, media use, lack of diverse foods, longer duration of breastfeeding, perceived small baby size, and diarrhoea. These findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted health and nutrition initiatives, such as maternal education, family planning, and community engagement. Priority should be given to children from underprivileged areas who lack proper dietary variety.
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