NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN FROM 6 TO 59 MONTHS OF AGE AND ITS SOCIO-SANITARY BURDEN IN COMMUNE III OF THE BAMAKO DISTRICT

Abstract

Worldwide, one-third of children under 5 years of age are suffering from protein and energy malnutrition. The objective was to assess the nutritional status of children from 6 to 59 months and its socio-sanitary weight in Commune III of the District of Bamako. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 16th, 2016 to February 16th, 2017, using a sample of 284 children. The boys were more frequent (53.2%) than girls (46,8%), with an average age of children of 27.04 months±16.247 months. The average age was 38.04 years±7.43 years for fathers and 28.54 years±6.076 years for mothers 43.1% of whom had a high school education. Food at home was available daily, weekly and monthly for 9.5%, 17.3% and 71.2% of household respectively. The average amount allocated per day to food for the household was 2803.6±2014.8FCFA. The prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight was 12.3%, 14.1% and 12.7% respectively. The time between clinical manifestations and care seeking was three days for 25% of children. According to the parents, diarrhea, cough and fever were the reasons for consultation with 21.1%, 18.1% and 13.1% respectively. The prevalence of the observed malnutrition was relatively high in a context of socio-sanitary burden. Keywords: Nutritional status, children 6-59months, household, load, Commune III, Bamako.