title: Protein energy malnutrition and its recognition in outpatient departments in Venda hospitals.
abstract: Between April and June 1988 the number of children under 5 years old attending outpatient departments of Venda hospitals who had protein energy malnutrition (PEM) was determined, the proportions at 3 Venda hospitals were compared, and what percentage of these children was detected by attendant health workers was determined. Approximately 6% had severe PEM; this finding was consistent for all 3 hospitals. The rates for mild PEM were 22% for Tshilidzini and Donald Fraser Hospitals and 33% for Siloam Hospital. This statistically significant difference has not been explained. Health workers failed to recognise about 25% of children with severe PEM and 50% of children with mild PEM. It is suggested that certain interventions and activities are essential if PEM is to be adequately managed: these are efficient monitoring; pre-employment and in-service education for health workers; a breast-feeding and weaning survey; and an investigation of the variation of malnutrition among Venda hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Tshilidzini Hospital, Venda.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Zöllner
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gear
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Maritz
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Helms
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Amptmeijer
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Tiu
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology