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Child nutrition and armed conflicts in Iraq
W AlDoori1, N Armijo-Hussein, W W Fawzi
1Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Child malnutrition in Basrah worsened after the Gulf War. Nutritional status deteriorated due to armed conflicts, with stunting and wasting affecting many children, especially those from low socio-economic households.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- The cessation of the Gulf War presented a critical period for assessing child health.
- Previous nutritional surveys indicated a baseline for comparison.
- Maternal and child health clinics (MCHC) serve as key access points for child healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional status of children aged 0-5 years in Basrah city.
- To identify the prevalence of malnutrition (wasting and stunting) post-conflict.
- To examine the relationship between socio-economic status and nutritional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Data were collected from 723 children attending MCHCs for routine immunizations.
- Systematic sampling included all children present on designated clinic days.
Main Results:
- 8% of children exhibited wasting, predominantly in the 12-24 month age group.
- 24% of children were found to be stunted.
- Stunting and low weight-for-age were significantly more prevalent in children from low socio-economic households.
Conclusions:
- Child nutritional status in Basrah has significantly deteriorated following successive armed conflicts.
- Urgent monitoring and intervention are required to protect children's health and nutritional well-being.
- Low socio-economic status is a significant risk factor for malnutrition in post-conflict settings.