Abstract
Background: Worldwide severe acute malnutrition (SAM) affects more than 19 million children and Africa pointed as a region where the problem is highly prevalent. Because of the high chance of death, as compared to wellnourished one, child with severe acute malnutrition needs hospitalization or strict follow up for clinical management. However, protocol is available for the clinical management of SAM cases, monitoring and evaluation of treatment center performance is important for the betterment of outcomes. Thus, this study aimed to assess treatment outcome and associated factors among under-five children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to therapeutic feeding unit of Yirgalem Hospital. Methods: Hospital based retrospective study was done. A total of 196 under-five children were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Frequency distribution of treatment outcomes were calculated using descriptive statistics. Pearson chi-square, significance level p<0.05, was used to identify factors associated with treatment outcomes. Results: Among the admitted children (n=191) 78% were cured, 16% were dead, 3.1% transferred out and 2.6% were defaulted. The average weight gain was found 9.5 g/Kg/day with 2.6 weeks (18.16 days) mean length of stay. Presence of Dermatosis (X2=5.13 & P-value=0.024), Admission Body Temperature (X2=8.12 & P-value=0.04), Tuberculosis co-infection (X2=4.15 & P-value=0.04) and Multi-chart Completeness (X2=5.42 & p-value=0.02) were found associated with treatment outcome of SAM clinical management. Conclusion: Cure and default percentages are acceptable. The death percentage is alarming. The mean length of stay and average weight gain were found to be positively far from the national cut-offs. Presence of Dermatosis, Tuberculosis co-infection, admission body temperature, and completeness of multi-chart are associated with treatment outcome.
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