ABSTRACT
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was to determine the prevalence and socio- clinical factors associated with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among hospitalized under-five children. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of children aged less than 59 months was carried out at the Children's Ward of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria using the 2006 WHO criteria for SAM. RESULTS: A total of 208 children were studied. Overall, 64.9% had normal nutrition while 18.3% had SAM. Of the 38 children with SAM, 68.4% were hospitalised primarily for severe protein-energy malnutrition using the Wellcome classification. Low maternal education (84.2% vs 65.2%; p = 0.025), non-exclusive breastfeeding (84.2% vs 61.5%; p = 0.009), untimely commencement of weaning (77.8% vs 47.1%; p = 0.006), cessation of breastfeeding before the age of 12 months (45.5% vs 0.0%; p < 0.0001) and presence of infections (84.2% vs 58.5%; p = 0.004) were associated with SAM. Multivariate analysis identified presence of infections (OR = 4.9; p = 0.002), non- exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 1.1; p = 0.048) and low maternal education (OR = 2.1; p = 0.02) as strong determinants of SAM. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of SAM among hospitalized Under-Fives was high. This justifies the routine use of the WHO diagnostic criteria at the community level for early detection of at-risk children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices may contribute to childhood malnutrition in the developing world. Objective: The objective was to examine the determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among Nigerian children. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design; children aged 6-24 months were surveyed in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Children with timely initiation of complementary feeding (6-8 months) were compared with children with untimely initiation of complementary feeding early (6 months and 8 months) for clinical and social characteristics using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Of 156 children; 41; 53.8; and 5.1 had timely; early and delayed initiation of complementary feeding. Complementary feeding was initiated with processed cereals (44.8); locally prepared maize gruel (32.1) and mashed family diet (23.1
Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , Hospitals , Infant , Malnutrition , TeachingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Poor breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices may contribute to childhood malnutrition in the developing world. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the determinants of timely initiation of complementary feeding among Nigerian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, children aged 6-24 months were surveyed in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Children with timely initiation of complementary feeding (6-8 months) were compared with children with untimely initiation of complementary feeding early (<6 months and >8 months) for clinical and social characteristics using both bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 156 children, 41%, 53.8%, and 5.1% had timely, early and delayed initiation of complementary feeding. Complementary feeding was initiated with processed cereals (44.8%), locally prepared maize gruel (32.1%) and mashed family diet (23.1%). Bivariate analysis showed significant association between timely initiation of complementary and orthodox maternity care, no prelacteal feeding, exclusive breastfeeding, no siblings and first birth order. Parental education was not associated with timely initiation of complementary feeding. Multivariate analysis identified orthodox maternity care, exclusive breastfeeding and no siblings as independent predictors of timely initiation of complementary feeding. CONCLUSION: Complementary feeding is most frequently initiated earlier than 6 months in this population. Good breastfeeding practices may influence timely initiation of complementary feeding. Interventions should be targeted at the entire population irrespective of educational and socioeconomic status.
