Medical and nutritional situation of the households Malians in period of welding

Abstract

Introduction: In Mali, the nutritional situation remained worrying for several decades. In 2005, 30 sentinel sites tests had been established to monitor their food and nutrition situation. Material and methods: To extend the experience of sentinel sites throughout the country a study by stratified cluster sampling was conducted by Early Warning System in June 2007. The study involved 5510 women in age to procreate, 7293 children under 5 years, 3180 households and 212 villages at the national level. Results: The prevalence of night blindness among the women is estimated at 6%. That of clinical anaemia was 20%. 50% of pregnant women practiced iron supplementation and 60% of pregnant women used a drug as a prophylactic against malaria. 29% of children aged 0 to 59 months fell ill during the seven days before the survey (mainly diarrhoea, ARI and suspected malaria). Exclusive breastfeeding has been found in 34% of children. Wasting affects nearly 10% of children 0 to 5 years. GAO is the most affected region (16%). According to the systems of life, are the strata agro-migration (16%) has the highest rates. The lowest rates were observed in the strata agro-cotton -fruit (5%). Stunting affects 25% of children aged 0 to 5 years. The Sikasso region is the most affected (33%). According to the systems of life, it reached 41% of children in agro-fruit strata against 14% in the strata wage-earning-trade. There is a strong correlation between wasting and food insecurity, malnutrition and diseases such as diarrhoea, measles, ARI. Conclusion and recommendation: The efforts of the SAP must be supported for a better monitoring and improvement of the health and nutritional status of populations.