Current Food Behaviors and Nutritional Status of Children Aged 6 to 24 Months in Douala (Cameroon)

Abstract

Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among infant and young children remain a public health problem in Cameroon. This study was designed to assess the current food behaviors and nutritional status of children aged 6 to 24 months in Douala (Cameroon). A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out for a period of 9 months at a Health Care Center and four district hospitals in Douala. The study was conducted among 333 children aged 6-24 months of both sexes together with their mothers or caregivers. Data were collected using a modified questionnaire developed by the FAO/WHO. Information on socio-demographic status, feeding habits and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Anthropometric measurements taken included weight, length, brachial perimeter and age. Subsequently, a blood sample was taken to measure the hemoglobin level in children whose mothers had given their consent, using the Hemocue Hb 301 method. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. A P value ≤0.05 was considered as significant. Z-score classifications for malnutrition: weight for length, length for age and weight for age were compared with reference data from WHO standards. This study showed that: only 19.53%, 27.33% and 30.6% respectively of the children had a high dietary diversity score, a high meal frequency. Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 22.52% and 26.43% of children were breastfed within one hour after birth. Furthermore, the study showed that, 25.8%, 23.1%, 27% and 35.1% of children were underweight, wasted, stunted and anemic respectively. Among them, 28.8% and 6.3% were suffering of mild anemia and moderate anemia respectively. Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between nutritional status of children and socio-demographic characteristics of mothers (P>0.05). Some of the feeding practices were associated with poor nutritional status and could be improved with good nutrition education programs.