BackgroundIn Ethiopia uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is managed at health posts level through the outpatient therapeutic program (OTP). Yet, evidence on the treatment success rate of the program is scarce. This study determines the treatment outcomes and predictors of time-to-recovery among children 6–59 months of age with SAM managed at the health posts level in Shebedino district, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study that enrolled 216 children with SAM identified through a campaign conducted in May 2015 and treated over eight weeks at 25 health posts of the district. The average time-to-recovery was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the independent predictors of the recovery were determined using multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model. The outputs of the analyses are presented via adjusted hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals (AHR, CI).ResultsAt the end of the eight weeks of treatment 79.6% (95% CI: 74.2–85.0%) of cases recovered from SAM with a weight gain rate of 5.4 g/kg/day. The median time-to-recover was 36 days. The analysis indicated, maternal illiteracy (0.54, 0.38–0.78), severe household food insecurity (0.47, 0.28–0.79), walking for more than 1 h to receive the treatment (0.69, 0.50–0.96), diarrhoea co-morbidity (0.63, 0.42–0.91) and practicing sharing of ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) (0.53, 0.32–0.88) were associated with slower propensity of recovery from SAM. Children who were enrolled with marasmus diagnosis showed lower recovery than children with kwashiorkor (0.30, 0.18–0.51).ConclusionThe median time-to-recover was 36 days. Discouraging sharing of RUTF, appropriate management of diarrhoea in SAM cases and improving access to OTP sites can help to improve the treatment outcome for SAM.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12887-019-1407-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Background: A sizable cross-sectional studies demonstrated a low dietary diversity in Southern Ethiopia. However, its seasonal trend has not been well studied in areas where nutrient-poor enset (false banana (Ensete ventricosum)) foods are major staple. Moreover, there is scarcity of information on seasonal nature of anthropometric status of mother–child pairs (MCP) from the same areas in Southern Ethiopia. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the dietary diversity and anthropometric status of MCP in postharvest dry and lean wet seasons and identify factors associated with anthropometric status. Methods: The dietary intake and anthropometric data were collected from 578 households (578 mothers and 578 children) January–June 2017. The study compared data of the two seasons using McNemar’s test for dichotomous, Wilcoxon signed-rank test for non-normally distributed, and paired samples t-test for normally distributed continuous data. Logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors for malnutrition. In addition, Spearman’s Rho test was used to determine correlations between maternal and child variables. Results: Over 94% of the mothers did not fulfil the minimum diet diversity score in both seasons. The meal frequency and pulses/legumes intake significantly declined in lean wet season; however, dark green leaves consumption increased. Meat, poultry, and fish consumption dropped to almost zero in the lean wet season. The dietary diversity and anthropometric status of the MCP were correlated. Weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ) of children significantly declined in the lean wet season. In the same way, maternal mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), body weight, and body mass index (BMI) dropped (p < 0.001) in this season. Being pregnant and a lactating mother, poverty, and the ability to make decisions independently predicted maternal undernutrition (low MUAC). On the other hand, maternal undernutrition and education were associated with child underweight. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the dietary diversity of MCP is low in both postharvest dry and lean wet seasons. This suggests the need for continuous nutrition intervention to improve the dietary diversity. In addition, the anthropometric status of MCP declines in lean wet season. This may provide some clue for policy targeting on improving nutritional status of mothers and children in rural Southern Ethiopia.
Background: Tools for the rapid and accurate analysis of nutrient intakes from diets of individuals in Southern Ethiopia are lacking. The Calculator of Inadequate Micronutrient Intake program for Ethiopia (CIMI-Ethiopia) has been developed to overcome this problem. CIMI-Ethiopia also computes protein and energy intakes from the diet. The objectives of the current study were to validate CIMI-Ethiopia for the dietary pattern of Southern Ethiopia, and assess the nutrient intakes in postharvest dry and lean wet seasons. Methods: 24-h dietary recall (24HR) data was collected from 578 women of a reproductive age in postharvest dry and lean wet seasons in 2017. For analysis, 24HR data was entered into NutriSurvey (NS), which was the reference nutrition software, and then into CIMI-Ethiopia. For validation, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the difference between CIMI-Ethiopia and NS were computed. The percentage of participants with an inadequate intake was calculated. The correlation between CIMI-Ethiopia and NS results was determined. The nutrient intakes in postharvest dry and lean seasons were compared. Results: Among the nutrients, pantothenic acid, vitamin B1, and protein showed a very high accuracy in CIMI-Ethiopia calculation (|difference (D)| < 5.0% of the NS result). Nutrients with a good accuracy (|D| = 5%–15%) were iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and energy. The accuracy for calcium, niacin, and vitamin A was moderate (|D| = 15%–30%). The intakes calculated by CIMI-Ethiopia and NS of iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, protein, and energy were highly correlated (r = 0.85–0.97, p < 0.001). NS analysis identified a significant reduction in the mean intake of iron; zinc; magnesium; pantothenic acid; vitamin B1, B12, and D; protein; and energy in the lean wet season; however, calcium and vitamin A intake increased. Conclusions: It has been found that CIMI-Ethiopia is a valid tool for estimating nutrient intakes at an individual level in Southern Ethiopia. The study demonstrated a decline in intakes of iron; zinc; magnesium; pantothenic acid; vitamin B1, B12, and D; protein; and energy in the lean wet season. This result provides some hint for fortification and supplementation programs that aim to combat maternal malnutrition in rural Southern Ethiopia.
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