The Impact of Food Security on the Nutritional Status of Children under 5 in the Bandiagara Circle in Mali

Abstract

Background: Child malnutrition remains a real public health problem in developing countries, including Mali. Several studies have been conducted to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and food security (EDS, ENSAN, SMART etc.) but to our knowledge no study has focused on assessing the impact of food security on the nutritional status of children under 5 in the Bandiagara district. Objective: To assess the impact of food security on the nutritional status of children under 5 in the Bandiagara circle in Mali. Methodology: This study is cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative, using a questionnaire to assess the impact of food security on the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in the Bandiagara circle. It took place from August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022. Results: A total of 378 children under 5 years old were surveyed, including 26.5% MAM and 9.5% SAM with a low SCAM of 18.5% and an average of 10.1%. Child gender, mother's education, low income, and household size were identified as the most contributing factors to child malnutrition and food insecurity. Conclusions: Malnutrition constitutes a form of synthesis of the results obtained in the management of the four dimensions of food security (availability, accessibility, stability and use) and in the management of the interactions of the contributing factors.