Dietary intake and food pattern of Saharawi refugee children in Tindouf (Algeria)

Abstract

The Saharawi refugee camps, including Dakhla, Smara, Al-'Uyun and Awsard, are located in the harsh desert 30 km from Tindouf, the most westerly town in Algeria. They have been the home of 150 000 and 200 000 refugees, including approximately half the indigenous population of Western Sahara, since 1976. International aid groups provide water to the camps, as well as food, medicine and other basic supplies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anthropometric measurements, dietary intake and food pattern of Saharawi refugee children in Tindouf.The height and weight and BMI were determined for 132 boys (mean age 9.1 (SD 1.8) years) and 104 girls (mean age 9.2 (SD 2.2) years). Furthermore, dietary intake and food pattern were evaluated using a dietary-record method and a semi-quantitative FFQ. A Student's t test was used to analyse the differences between genders.The dietary intake data indicated a deficiency in several micronutrients, i.e. Fe, vitamin A and Zn. Furthermore, the findings show the presence of chronic malnutrition (32 %), overweight (2%), anaemia (53 %), coeliac disease (2%) and intestinal parasitic infections (Giardia lamblia, Hymenolepis nana and Blastocystis hominis; 45 %). According to the basic food basket the frequency of consumption (%) was: wheat flour (bread, couscous and pasta) 90, meat 82, rice 65, canned fish 45,

Assessment of the Nutritional Status, Diet and Intestinal Parasites in Hosted Saharawi Children

“…According to the HAZ, a high presence of low stature was determined (six children in total), a fact that could be explained considering that the sample studied, whose mean age was 11.1 years, had been lacking adequate nutrition for many years, thus presenting a chronic malnutrition that at the same time increases the probabilities of infections by parasites, in particular, which hinders the progression towards normal growth values. It should be noted that the results of this study are similar to those observed in previous studies of this population that showed that chronic malnutrition is frequent (percentages between 20% and 33%) [2,[4][5][6].…”

“…Even at these ages, reinfections are usually more frequent than in adulthood, where parasitic infections are usually chronic [32,38]. The results of the coproparasitological analysis stand out from those obtained in other studies carried out in the same area or with children sheltered in different places in Spain [4][5][6][7][10][11][12][13]. In this study, higher prevalence of parasites is observed in general, although it should be noted that the most prevalent parasitic species are the same in practically all studies.…”

“…Leone et al [34] observed in a Saharawi adult female population that the consumption of sugary beverages was by 62.5% of those surveyed, so the adult population is not a good reference of children towards this beverage consumption. On the other hand, observing the low contribution of fruits, it is common to think about possible deficiencies of vitamins and micronutrients, so increasing the consumption of these foods is important to reverse the high rates of anemia observed in this population [4][5][6]12,35]. Surprisingly, the consumption of vegetables is null, suggesting that they may not have any type of crop due to the aridity of the land or even a limited supply.…”

“…Several international projects have been carried out to collect anthropometric, nutritional and parasitological data of the Saharawi population, especially at-risk groups such as children and pregnant women. Most studies agree on the high prevalence of growth retardation and low weight [2,[4][5][6][7]. Bilbao et al [8] wrote a food guide called "Food Jaima" for host families in Spain about foods and the recommended daily amount, in order to improve their nutritional status.…”

“…On the other hand, data collection on intestinal parasitism in the Saharawi population, within the same host program, was carried out by Paricio-Talayero et al [4], who observed that enteroparasites were present in 75% of the samples examined. Further studies were conducted over the years and confirmed that hygienic, personal and community measures remained insufficient for the control of parasitic infections and to prevent their long-term effects [4][5][6][10][11][12][13]. Medical examinations and antiparasitic campaigns were carried out in each of these studies through the administration of antiprotozoal and anthelmintic drugs during their stay in Spain.…”