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Malnutrition of children in Sikasso (Mali): prevalence and socio-economic determinants

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Sozial- und Präventivmedizin

Summary

Background

Malnutrition of children is a major public health problem in many African countries. Despite a relatively favourable geographical situation, the prevalence of malnutrition is high in the Sikasso region (Mali).

Methods

Survey repeated annually during 5 years, to a sample of 491 families living in Sikasso. The determinants of wasting and stunting were analysed using logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of stunting was about 25%. Prevalence of wasting was about 12%, which is very high, and had been increasing in the past years. No strong associations with socio-economic factors were observed for wasting. Stunting was strongly associated with the education level of both parents, and with the family assets.

Zusammenfassung

Situation

Der schlechte Ernährungszustand von Kindern in vielen afrikanischen Ländern ist eines der wesentlichen Gesundheitsproblemen. Dies ist auch in Sikasso (Mali) der Fall, obwohl diese Region geographisch günstig situiert ist.

Methode

Diese Artikel schildert eine Erhebung, in welcher wahrend fünf Jahren jährlich der Ernährungszustand von 491 Familien erfasst worden ist. Die Determinanten des Ernährungszustandes der Kinder dieser Familien wurden mittels logistischer Regressionanalyse erhoben.

Resultate

Es zeigte sich, dass die Prävalenz der chronischen Ernährungsprobleme um die 25% liegt. Eine Assoziation von Ausbildungsgrad der Eltern und ökonomischem Stätus der Familien liess sich nachweisen. Die Prävalenz akuter Ernährungsprobleme liegt um die 12%, was sehrhoch ist, letztere nahm über die Jahrezu; es bestand keine Korrelation zu sozio-ökonomischen Faktoren.

Résumé

Situation

La malnutrition des enfants est un problème majeur de santé publique dans de nombreux pays africains. Malgré une situation géographique relativement favorable, la prévalence de la malnutrition est élevée dans la région de Sikasso (Mali).

Méthode

Enquête annuelle répétée au cours d'une période de 5 ans, sur un échantillon de 491 familles. Les déterminants de la malnutrition sont analysés par régression logistique.

Résultats

La prévalence de la malnutrition chronique se situe autour de 25%, tandis que celle de la malnutrition aigué autour de 12%. Ce dernier pourcentage est très élevé et a augmenté au cours des dernieres années. Aucune association importante n'a été observée avec les facteurs socio-économiques en ce qui concerne la malnutrition aiguë. Au contraire, la malnutrition chronique est fórtement associée avec le niveau d'éducation des parents, ainsi qu avec l'aisance materielle de la famille.

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Bouvier, P., Papart, JP., Wanner, P. et al. Malnutrition of children in Sikasso (Mali): prevalence and socio-economic determinants. Soz Präventivmed 40, 27–34 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01615659

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01615659

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