EVALUATION OF THE DEGREE OF SEVERITY OF MALNUTRITION AMONG MALNOURISHED CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF OAGE IN THE PLATEAU OF ABOMEY

Abstract

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey with a descriptive and analytical purpose, using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements targeted at 110 children under the age of 5. Several types of data were collected: anthropometric and health data of children as well as socio-economic data of households. The prevalence of different forms of malnutrition in children was determined from these data. Results: From the results obtained, it appears that almost all children (99%) were wasted (thinning), 40% were stunted and 71.82% were underweight. The survey on children's food consumption showed that the majority of children were taking cereal porridge before the age of 6 months. Also, the children suffered from at least one common childhood illness. Conclusion: According to our results, poor weaning practices, illnesses and low level of education of mothers are the associated determinants of malnutrition observed in children under 5 years of age seen in the two health facilities during the study period.