Treatment Outcome and Associated Factors of Acute Malnutrition Among Children in the Therapeutic Feeding Center of Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: An Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Severe acute malnutrition is the most prevalent reason for admission to a pediatric unit, and it is a leading cause of mortality in many countries, including Ethiopia, at 25% to 30%, where it affects both developed and developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess treatment outcomes and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months with severe acute malnutrition. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from medical records of patients enrolled in the therapeutic feeding center from January 2016 to March 2019. There were 385 samples collected at 3 public referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, which were selected by simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the available individual folders and registers. The data analysis was performed using binary and multivariable logistic regression models. The odds ratio with 95% CI was used to identify predictor variables. Variables that have a p-value <0.05 were considered significant. Results Children who had tuberculosis were 79% less likely to recover than those who had no tuberculosis. In this study, deaths accounted for 9.1%, recovered were 72.2%, and defaulters accounted for 11.6% with a mean length of stay of 18.6 (CI: 16.9, 20.2) days and an average weight gain of 7.2 g/kg/day (CI: 5.7, 8.2). Conclusion Treating comorbidities on time can help children to recover early and reduce readmission. Integration of severe acute malnutrition screening into all service delivery points can help early identification and treatment. In the meantime, treating them with ready-to-use therapeutic feeding has a significant change in recovery.

Edematous Type of Malnutrition Takes Longer Recovery Time Compared to Severe Wasting (Marasmus): Findings on 6-59 months old children treated for Severe Acute Malnutrition After the War in Northern Ethiopia, 2023: Prospective Longitudinal Study

“…Hence, marasmus was the main provisional diagnosis at admission, consistent with reports from recent studies in Aksum (17), Addis Ababa (25) and Southern Ethiopia (6). The median recovery time was 8 days (95% CI: 7.4, 8.6) which fulfils the requirement for maximum LoS in SC by WHO to be less than four weeks (26).…”

“…This finding is similar with prospective study conclusions from Sidama regional state of Ethiopia (27). Conversely, this is much better (shorter) compared to findings from different public hospitals in the capital city of the country and different institutions in Oromia (25,28), at which children were staying for about 19 and 21 days to be stabilized respectively. Such variability could be due to differences in adhering to the national guideline strictly and lack of trainings on the protocol as well as supply shortage among hospitals.…”

Treatment Outcomes of Severe Acute Malnutrition and Its Determinants Among Paediatric Patients in Quetta City, Pakistan

“…Although there is no scientific evidence connected to this finding, the gender distribution is the same as reported by other studies. 43,51,52 Nevertheless, there is one observation that we would like to highlight and discuss here. In the developing world, socioeconomic parameters and gender-related preferences are important factors that result in malnutrition.…”

Assessing the role of stabilization centers in saving lives of children under five years of age with severe acute malnutrition in drought-affected Somalia

“…The incorporation of screening for SAM into various service delivery points facilitates early identi cation and treatment [25]. Furthermore, addressing comorbidities promptly contributes to early recovery and reduces the likelihood of readmission of children.…”