[Chronic malnutrition among children under five years of age in the northern part of Côte d'Ivoire].
The malnutrition of children under five years of age constitutes a major public health problem in most developing countries. A cross-section study was carried in 2003 in the northern part of Côte d'Ivoire to determine the prevalence of chronic malnutrition and to identify risk factors among children under five years of age living in urban and rural areas of the northern part of Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 292 and 268 children under five years of age residing respectively in urban and rural areas were included in the study. Their median age was 24 months. Chronic malnutrition was more frequent in children from rural areas (39.9%) than in those living in urban areas (16.7%). Malnutrition was significantly associated with the type of food consumed by children under two years of age in urban areas, and it was strongly linked to emaciation of the mother and presence of childhood fever in rural areas. In light of these results, we advocate a healthy diet and adequate health status for the mother and child to improve the nutritional status of children. Moreover, these results need to be completed and complemented by further studies for more detailed information to contribute to a better definition of actions to fight efficiently against malnutrition among children of the northern part of Côte d'Ivoire.
Aké-Tano
Odile
O
Institut National de Santé Publique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Tiembré
Issaka
I
Konan
Yao Eugène
YE
Donnen
Philippe
P
Dagnan
Simplice N'cho
SN
Dramaix
Michelle
M
Koffi
Kouamé
K
Diarra-Nama
Alimata Jeanne
AJ
D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population