Explanatory Factors for Severe Acute Malnutrition in 6 - 59 months of age Patients Admitted in the Therapeutic Nutritional Unit of N’Djamena, Chad

Introduction: Globally Severe acute malnutrition(SAM) affects more than 29 million children under the age of five. Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicators in Chad (EDS-MICS) of 2014-2015 survey found an acute malnutrition level of 13% out of which 9% was moderate and 4% was severe. The Causes of SAMS are multifactorial, relating to multiple domains such as society, culture, environment, education, livelihoods, agriculture, water, hygiene, etc. Despite this established evidence, the evidence of parental knowledge is unknown. Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the explanatory factors of SAM and its level of knowledge, understanding by the parents. Materials and Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted in 238 children aged 6-59 months admitted to therapeutic nutritional unit Alerte Santé of Ndjamena from November 15 to December 30, 2017. Results: During the study, the male sex (58.8%), the age group of 12-17 months (26.9%) and 6-8 months (24.4%) were the most represented and are the majorities in the urban area (72.3%). We were able to identify the various explanatory factors among which the level of education of mothers (62.2%), exclusive breastfeeding (2.3%), the food taboo (81%) are not insignificant. Malnutrition would be decompensated by the breakdown of food access (59%) and digestive diseases (74.8%) and respiratory diseases (73.5%). We found that parents have poor knowledge of malnutrition (87%). Conclusion: A good understanding of these main factors of malnutrition by parents might help to effectively combat severe acute malnutrition.