Abstract
BackgroundMalnutrition constitutes one of the major public health challenges throughout the developing world. Urban poverty and malnutrition have been on the rise, with an increased rate of morbidity. We herein explore the relationship between infections and nutritional status and the related association with hygienic conditions as risk of infection in children residing in the slums of Nairobi.MethodsCase-control study based on a secondary analysis of quantitative data collected from a cluster randomized trial carried out in two slums of Nairobi. The following information about resident children were selected: babies’ anthropometric measurements, related life conditions, data on infant-feeding practices, food security, hygiene, immunization coverage and morbidity were collected and updated with structured questionnaires until 12 months of life. Prevalence of malnutrition was calculated, then both bivariate and multivariate analysis were used to explore the relationship between malnutrition and its determinants.ResultsThe study involved a total of 1119 babies registered at birth (51.28% male and 48.03% female infants). Overall the prevalence of malnutrition was high, with 26.3% of the children being stunted, 6.3% wasted and 13.16% underweight. Prevalence of wasting was higher in the first months of life, while in older children more case of stunting and underweight were captured. Wasted infants were significantly associated with common childhood illnesses: with cough and rapid breathing as well as with diarrhea (p-value< 0.05). Stunting was associated with hygienic conditions (p-value< 0.05 in households that did not perform any water treatment and for children that had a toilet within the house compound), immunization program and low-birth-weight. Moreover, regression analysis showed that significant determinants of stunting were sex and feeding practices. Underweight was significantly associated with socio-demographic factors.ConclusionsIn the specific environment where the study was conducted acute malnutrition is correlated with acute infections, while chronic malnutrition is more influenced by WASH conditions. Therefore, our findings suggest that one cannot separate infection and its risk factors as determinants of the whole malnutrition burden.
Highlights
Malnutrition constitutes one of the major public health challenges throughout the developing world
The latest estimates show that half of the 10.6 million under five child deaths per year in the world has been ascribed to five infectious diseases [4]
Objective of the study We explore the relationship between infections and nutritional status and the related association with hygienic conditions as risk of infection in children residing in above-mentioned slums
Summary
Malnutrition constitutes one of the major public health challenges throughout the developing world. The latest estimates show that half of the 10.6 million under five child deaths per year in the world has been ascribed to five infectious diseases (pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles, and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) [4]. Non-fatal and subclinical infections may impair the process of growth: several studies report that 46–80% of all nutrition-related deaths are a consequence of mild to moderate malnutrition [5]; evidence indicates that malnourished children have a clear excess risk of infectious morbidity and mortality [6]. Less quantified is the inverse relationship, from infection to malnutrition, even if it is well known that infections alter nutrients intake, absorption, secretion, catabolism and consumption This may result in a vicious cycle of infection and child malnutrition, with an inter-relation that clearly appears dynamic in nature
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
