Nutritional assessment of preschool children in Sinai governorates

This study was carried out during November and December 2005 to the non-urban areas related to five main cities in Sinai. Clusters of house-holds were selected among which 517 children 2-5 years were included. To identify and estimate the magnitude of health and nutritional problems. The study comes as a first step to the lovely gained Egyptian land Sinai after the year 1982. The basic data are needed to the policy maker to implement health and nutrition strategies accordingly. The study reported that Bedouins preschoolers living in Sinai are facing many health and nutritional problems. The overall prevalence of stunting was 39.5% with more or less the same prevalence among north and south governorates. This figure reflects malnutrition over a long period. The overall prevalence of underweight was [38.5%] with more or less the same percentage among north and south governorates. This figure denotes a consequence of inadequate food and/or illnesses lasting for a relatively long period. The overall prevalence of wasting was less frequent as 18.8% with more or less the same percentage among north and south governorates. Night blindness prevalence was 0.8% while that of Bitot spots was 2.9%. Prevalence of vitamin A disorder VADD was higher significantly in North governorate compared to south. First degree goiter was prevalent among 5% and second degree among 0.2% North Sinai shows significantly more affection. The over all prevalence of anemia in Sinai governorate was 59.3%. North Sinai showed significantly more prevalence of anemia compared to south Sinai [p=0.009]. The morbidity of the Bedouins children during the last month of the survey was assessed. Gastroenteritis as a preschool morbid was prevalent among 21.9% of children. Respiratory infection whether upper or lower was prevalent among 39.1% of children. Fever as a symptom of infection whether gastroenteritis, respiratory, or other was prevalent among 37.7%. Measles at a certain time period previous to the study was prevalent among 1.4%. This high prevalence of morbidity affect the health and nutritional status of the young children and predispose to severe malnutrition. Our results revealed that the Bedouins children are facing severe malnutrition status. Urgent interventions to improve their nutritional and health status is mandatory

Effect of nutrition and social factors on menarcheal age among Egyptian adolescent girls

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional and social factors affecting age at menarche. In a cross sectional analytical study, 2021 adolescent girls aged [11-18 years] were surveyed in six different governorates. Age at menarche was estimated by the recall method and given by the study participants. A questionnaire was designed to collect information about education of girls, family size, number of rooms, parent's education and occupation. Anthropometric measures [weights and heights] were done. Food intake was determined by using 24 hours recall method. Adolescent girls were grouped into three levels according to social characteristics regarding the education and occupation of their parents. Crowdness index was calculated by dividing the family members over the number of rooms. Weights and heights were computed in accordance with age and compared with WHO [1995] percentiles of BMI/age. It was found that 67.2% of the sample had commenced menarche. The mean age for girls at menarche was 12.9 +/- 1.3 years. Among the non menstruating girls 13.1%were under weights. While among the menstruating 19.4%were over weights and 10% obese. The mean percentile of body mass index/age was significantly higher among the menstruating girls [p=0.00].Girls with high level of education commenced menses significantly earlier.[p=0.00] Family size,crowdness index, social levels showed no significant differences between pre and postmenarcheal girls. The total caloric intake and total protein intake were consumed by a higher percentage among girls who experienced menses though not significant. Intake of Micronutrients, retinol, iron and calcium were below the reference values by all girls suspecting under nutrition problems namely vit A deficiency, calcium deficiency problems and iron deficiency anemia. The mean age of menarche in Egypt is [12.9 +/- 1.3] years. Better nutrition on a balanced diet, girls education are important predictors for age at menarche