Prevalence and Factors Associated with Deficiency Malnutrition in the Health District of Guédiawaye, Senegal

Abstract

Introduction: Deficiency malnutrition poses a real public health problem, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study is to assess: (a) the prevalence of deficiency malnutrition in its various forms in children aged 6 - 59 months living in Guédiawaye and (b) its determinants. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study took place from September 1 to October 30, 2020 throughout the district of Guédiawaye in community. The study population consisted of children aged 6 - 59 months. Sampling with no survey was carried out and the total sample consisted of 603 subjects. Results: Twenty-nine point three percent (29.3%) of the children were acutely malnourished, 20.4% chronically malnourished, and 25.5% were underweight. Early breastfeeding was performed in 62.7% of children and 97.1% had received exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months. The factors associated with acute malnutrition were: the number of children ≥3 (pvalue = 0.001), non-consumption of vegetables (pvalue = 0.020), non-consumption of meat / offal / poultry (pvalue = 0.032), consumption of condiments / spices (pvalue = 0.000), presence of fever during the last weeks preceding the survey (pvalue = 0.010), non-washing of hands when leaving the toilet (pvalue = 0.010) and incomplete immunization status ( Pvalue = 0.00). The factors associated with chronic malnutrition were female sex (pvalue = 0.003), non-consumption of meat / offal / poultry (pvalue = 0.001), presence of diarrhoea during the last two weeks preceding the survey (pvalue = 0.021) and incomplete vaccination status (Pvalue = 0.000). The factors associated with underweight were: uneducated father (pvalue = 0.005), number of children ≥ 1 (pvalue = 0.028), lack of dietary diversification at 6 months (pvalu = 0.042), non-consumption of meat / offal / poultry (pvalue = 0.000), the presence of diarrhoea during the last weeks preceding the survey (pvalue = 0.001), and incomplete vaccination status (Pvalue = 0.000). Conclusion: The prevalence of deficiency malnutrition, whatever its form, remains high among children in Guédiawaye. Promoting good dietary practices, improving hygiene conditions and monitoring nutritional status in immunization units could help fight malnutrition.