Profile of Children with Undernutrition Admitted in Two Secondary-Level Hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique

Idalécia Cossa-Moiane, Clémentine Roucher, Maiza Campos-Ponce, Colleen Doak, Adilson Bauhofer, Assucênio Chissaque, António Prista, Nilsa de Deus, Katja Polman

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Mozambique has one of the highest child undernutrition rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of children from 1 to 14 years old hospitalized for undernutrition and to explore associated risk factors. Clinical, demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental data were collected. Anthropometric measurements and stool samples were collected from a child and their caretaker. The wealth index was determined using Principal Components Analysis. A total of 449 children and their caretakers were enrolled. The children had a median age of 1.0 year [IQR: 1.0-2.0], and 53.9% (242/449) were male. Most were admitted with severe undernutrition (35.7%, 159/449 kwashiorkor and 82.0%, 368/449 with -3SD Z-score indexes). The most common co-morbidities were HIV (30.0%, 120/400), diarrhea (20.0%; 80/400), and anemia (12.5%; 50/400). Among the caretakers, 9.5% (39/409) were underweight, 10.1% (40/397) were overweight, and 14.1% (56/397) were obese. Intestinal parasites were found in 24.8% (90/363) children and in 38.5% (77/200) caretakers. The majority of children (60.7%, 85/140) came from low- to middle-wealth households. Most were severely undernourished, suggesting that they seek medical care too late. The finding of overweight/obese caretakers in combination with undernourished children confirms that Mozambique is facing a double burden of malnutrition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalNutrients
Volume16
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2024

Bibliographical note

This article belongs to the Special Issue Malnutrition and Food Fortification in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Keywords

  • anthropometry
  • children
  • double burden of malnutrition
  • intestinal parasites
  • Mozambique
  • risk factors
  • undernutrition

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