Introduction: Child
malnutrition is a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in low-
and middle-income countries. The latest report from Senegal’s Continuous
Demographic and Health Survey revealed that 18% of children in Senegal were
stunted (chronic malnutrition), 8% were wasted (acute malnutrition) and 14%
were underweight. Thus, this study aimed to assess the characteristics
associated with malnutrition in children according to their nutritional status. Methods: This descriptive transverse study was conducted at the
Pediatric Social Institute of Pikine/Guediawaye and the National Hospital
Center of Pikine, in Senegal between October and December 2019. A total of 94
children were recruited, with the consent of their legal tutors. Descriptive
and multivariate analyses of the factors associated with malnutrition were
performed. The z-scores for the indices of nutrition were determined with WHO
Anthro® software version 3.2.2. All the data analyses were performed using R
software version 4.2.2. Result: From the 94 children recruited, 51.06%
were female, with a sex ratio (male/female) of 0.96. Acute malnutrition was
recorded in 62.77% of cases, chronic
malnutrition in41.49%, and
underweight in 71.27%. Linear regression analysis showed that many
factors, such as the female gender [OR = 1.82 CI (1.02 - 3.3), P-value = 0.04],
consanguinity [OR = 2.84 CI (1.14 - 7.65), P-value = 0.03], low birth weight
[OR = 4.83 CI (2.15 - 12.89), P-value = 0.0004], were associated with acute
malnutrition. Low birth weight (<2.5 kg) [OR = 10.66 CI (3.82 - 44.39)
P-value < 0.0001], non-exclusive breastfeeding [OR = 3 CI (1.40 - 7.13)]
P-value = 0.007], dietary diversification before six months [OR = 2.04 CI (1.23
- 3.51), P-value = 0.007] and others factors were associated with underweight.
The most frequently recorded clinical signs are weight loss (30.85%), fever
(23.40%), diarrhea (34.04%), and anemia (70.21%). Conclusion: Problems
associated with malnutrition are multifactorial. Dietary diversification,
consanguinity, and low birth weight are factors associated with malnutrition in
children in Senegal. Thus, special attention must be paid to this problem
because of its impact on child survival.
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