Nutritional status and envioromental characteristics of infants from Tete (Mozambique)

Abstract

Objectives: To study the prevalence of malnutrition in Tete , Mozambique. Analyze the population in terms of perinatal history, patterns of parenting and health care, and access to clean water. Assess determinants in different forms of presentation of malnutrition. Methods: single cross-sectional epidemiological study with a sample of 123 children who were admitted into Tete Provincial Hospital and two health centres during September 2015. A survey was cumplimented by their parents. Results: 41.5 % of children had HAZ<- 2SD, 18.7 % had WHZ<-2SD and 14.6 % had WAZ<-2 SD. Current age of the mother, her age during child pregnancy and housewife mother were statistically significant for malnutrition. Prophylactic deworming, low birth weight and duration of breastfeeding were associated with chronic malnutrition. There was no association with acute malnutrition. In exacerbated chronic malnutrition were significant gestational age, low birth weight and duration of breastfeeding. Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic malnutrition was 41.5 %, acute malnutrition of 23.6 %. Malnutrition was related in perinatal period with low birth weight and gestational age. The parenting pattern most determining was breastfeeding duration. In terms of health care emphasizes the prophylactic deworming. Drinking water coverage was 91.5