The Prevalence of Acute and Chronic Malnutrition Among Children Under Five in a Rural Haitian Town: A Population-Based Survey (P11-103-19)

Abstract

Objectives Both chronic and acute malnutrition in children under 5 remain a persistent problem in low and low-middle income countries. Haiti faces the highest burden of childhood malnutrition in the Western Hemisphere. We attempted to describe the prevalence of malnutrition in children in a farming community in Haiti and record characteristics of the those experiencing the disease. Methods A household survey was conducted within the town of Fontaine in the Nord department of Haiti on all children under the age of 5. A total of 535 children were assessed. Anthropometric data was taken on the children and household information was assessed via a population-based survey. Results Of the children assessed, 28% (149/535) were either chronically or acutely malnourished. Of the children who were malnourished: 36.4% (43/118) had 3 or more bouts of diarrhea in the past 3 months and only 5.3% (7/132) had stopped breastfeeding before 1 year of age. On average, the mothers of these children had completed 6.2 years of formal schooling. A slight majority of mothers, 54.7% (81/148), either “never” or “rarely” were concerned their child was malnourished. Of the households with malnourished children 88.4% (130/147) had reported running out of food in the last month. When asked what caused children in Fontaine to be malnourished, mothers of malnourished children cited a lack of food, 56.2% (82/146), and a lack of access to employment, 25.3% (37/146), most frequently. Conclusions Malnutrition commonly affects children in Fontaine. Efficacious prevention interventions could possibly include decreasing food insecurity, or increasing girls’ education level. Funding Sources None.