Anthropometric Characteristics and the Burden of Altered Nutritional Status among Neuropsychiatric Patients at Zomba Mental Hospital in Zomba, Malawi

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of overnutrition and undernutrition among neuropsychiatric inpatients and outpatients at Zomba Mental Hospital in Zomba, Malawi. MethodsIn this analytical cross-sectional study (n = 239), data were collected from psychiatric patients who were either inpatients (n = 181) or outpatients (n = 58) at Zomba Mental Hospital, which is the largest mental health facility in Malawi. Information was collected about patient demographics, anthropometric data, dietary information, and tobacco and alcohol use, among other variables. Data were entered and analysed in SPSS 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Means were generated and compared between male and female patients, and between inpatients and outpatients. ResultsThe study recruited 158 male and 81 female patients, with mean ages of 31.24 ± 11.85 years and 33.08 ± 15.18 years (p = 0.328), respectively. Male patients were significantly taller (165.27 ± 7.25 cm) than female patients (155.30 ± 6.56 cm) (p < 0.001); were significantly heavier than females (60.02 ± 10.56 kg versus 55.64 ± 10.53 kg); and had a significantly lower mean body mass index (BMI) than females (21.87 ± 3.21 vs. 23.01 ± 3.78) (p = 0.016). Overweight and obese patients comprised 17.6% of the participants, and 8.8% were underweight. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and underweight between male and female participants, or between inpatients and outpatients. ConclusionOur study-the first one of its kind in Malawi-characterised the anthropometry of neuropsychiatric patients at a major metal health facility in Malawi, and has shown a high proportion of overweight patients and a notable presence of underweight patients among them. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for metabolic disorders. Being underweight may aggravate mental illness or disturb the effect of medication. There is need, therefore, to include nutrition screening and therapeutic or supplementary feeding as part of a comprehensive care and treatment plan for neuropsychiatric patients.

Nutritional Status and Associated Factors among Adult Psychiatric Patients in Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

“…From those psychiatric patients having undernutrition, 67 (63.2%) were males. This finding is consistent with a study conducted in Malawi on anthropometric characteristics, and the burden of altered nutritional status among neuropsychiatric patients at Zomba mental hospital had shown that male patients were significantly taller and heavier than females, but had a significantly lower mean BMI than female patients [20,25].…”

“…Additionally, it can deplete the investments of healthy metabolism and also cause low mood, irritability, and/or aggressive behavior as well as more serious and long-term mental health problems, which further predispose to undernutrition [9]. It is also in line with a study conducted in Malawi on anthropometric characteristics, and the burden of altered nutritional status among neuropsychiatric patients at Zomba mental Hospital had shown that alcohol use are known risk factors for undernutrition [25].…”

Caracterização do estado nutricional de pacientes de neuropsiquiatria geriátrica: utilização da Mini Avaliação Nutricional - MAN®

“…A desnutrição está presente em aproximadamente 14% dos pacientes de DEP e DA e em 27,5% dos pacientes de OTP. MHANGO et al, (2015) encontraram prevalência de apenas 8,8% de desnutrição em pacientes adultos jovens de neuropsiquiatria. Pode-se entender com isso, que os idosos nessa condição tenham maior vulnerabilidade para distúrbios do estado nutricional que adultos jovens.…”