Multidimensional Poverty and Acute Malnutrition of Children in Households of Mayo-danay Division, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: The SMART survey (2017) in the Far North region, Cameroon presents high prevalence of malnutrition: 4.5% of global acute malnutrition (GAM) and 40.9% of chronic malnutrition (CM). Objectives: To examine the relationship between multidimensional poverty and malnutrition among children under-five in the Mayo-Danay Division. Specifically, assess the nutritional status of children, describe the living conditions of children in households and measure the association between multidimensional poverty and nutritional status of children. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study was conducted on a cluster sample at two levels. Anthropometric measurements were used to assess the nutritional status of children. The non-monetary, simplified approach, based on the search for deprivation indices of the well-being of children in the household was used. Results: Out of 433 children surveyed, we observed: 4.4% GAM; 13.9% of underweight and 23.3% MC. Out of the 65,82% poor children, 13,59% had chronic malnutrition; 2.09% GAM and 15.00% underweight. Multidimensional poverty among children was associated with the CM (OR = 4, 436; (CI = 2, 767 - 7,111) and GAM (OR = 4, 194; (CI = 1, 514 - 11,416). Conclusion: The study highlights the interaction between the living conditions of children in households and the impact on their nutritional status. Multidimensional poverty is associated with malnutrition in children. We recommend to initiate a simulation and comparison study, of poverty reduction scenarios, in the study area.