Factors Associated with Malnutrition among Children in Internally Displaced Person's Camps; Northern Uganda

Introduction Since mid 1990s; Uganda has had an estimated 1.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the northern and eastern districts. A major cause of morbidity and mortality amongst children in displaced settings is protein energy malnutrition. Objective To estimate the prevalence of and describe the risk factors for protein energy malnutrition among under five years old children living in internally displaced persons camps in Omoro county Gulu district. Methods This was a cross sectional study undertaken among internally displaced people's in Omoro county; Gulu district during 13 - 23rd September 2006. Anthropometric measurements of 672 children aged 3 59 months were undertaken and all their caretakers interviewed. The anthropometric measurements were analyzed using z- scores of height-for-age (H/A) and weight-for-height (W/H) indices. Qualitative data were collected through 6 focus group discussions; key informant interviews and observation. Data were captured using Epi Data version 3.0 and analyzed using EPI-INFO version 3.3.2 and SPSS version 12.0 computer packages respectively. Results The prevalence of global stunting was found to be 52.4and of global acute malnutrition 6.0. Male children are at risk of being stunted Adjusted OR 1.57 95CI 1.15-2.13; p value=0.004. Children in the age group 3 24 months were at risk of acute malnutrition Adjusted OR 2.78 95CI 1.26-6.15; p value=0.012 while de-worming was protective Adjusted OR 0.44 95CI 0.22-0.88; p value=0.018. The main sources of foodstuff for IDPs include food rations distributed by WFP; cultivation and purchase. Conclusion and Recommendations There is high prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (stunting) among children in the internally displaced people's camps in Gulu district. Male children are at an increased risk of stunting while children aged between 3 24 months are at an increased risk of suffering from acute malnutrition. Stakeholders including local government and relief organizations should intensify efforts to improve the nutritional status of IDPs especially children in the camp settings. The quantity of and access to household food supplies; health education on infant and child feeding and integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI) activities in the camps should be strengthened

Natural History of Perinatally Acquired HIV-1 Infection in Children followed from 0-7 years

Objectives: To study the natural history of perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection in children. Methods: This study started in 1986. This paper covers August 1989 - Feb. 1993. Children born to HIV+mothers (study) and HIV - mothers (controls) were followed up clinically and serologically at regular intervals. All the children were breastfed and immunised. Results: A total of 159 children (72 study and 87 controls) were studied; 99 were over 24 months old. Almost all the children 68/72 study and 81/87 controls breastfed. over all mortality (study group) was 14/72 (19) versus 5/87 (6) (controls) (p

HIV-1 Infection in Women and Children : The Future of AFrican Children

Objectives: To highlight the future crisis of African children due to HIV/AIDS in women and children. Methods: A review of available data and projections of HIV/AIDS in women and children in Africa. Results and Discussion: It is estimated that 3 out of 10 million infected people worldwide are women of children bearing age; 50of them in Africa. East and Central Africa ; 10-36of prenatal women in some urban areas are HIV positive. HIV positive women have 25-40chnaces of infecting their new borns vertically. Such infected children have a 25chance of dying before age one; and 80by age 5. Thus maternal and paediatric HIV/AIDS poses a socio-economic crisis for Africa. In East and Central Africa; 1:10 AIDS cases are children and estimated that during the 1990s; 2.9 million women and 2.7 million chidlren will die of AIDS. The children of HIV+ mothers who survive may have no-one to care for them. hence there is emerging an orphan crisis in this region. The traditional African extended family can no longer cope. There is also a rise in street children with attendant dangers of juvenile deliquency; drug and sex abuse; STDs including HIV and crime. Conclusions and Recommendations: African children face major crises requiring urgent attention:- 1. Increased morbidity/mortality rates. 2. Increasing numbers of orphans and street children