Factors contributing to severe acute malnutrition among the under five children in Francistown-Botswana
type: CreativeWork
description: Introduction: Malnutrition is the immediate result of inadequate dietary intake, the presence of disease or the interaction between these two factors. It is a complicated problem, an outcome of several etiologies. SAM is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five in developing countries. Although studies in Botswana show some improvement in child malnutrition since the 1980s, severe acute malnutrition still remains a cause for concern in many parts of the country. There is little information on undernourishment situation of children under the age of five years in the urban areas of the country. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors to severe acute malnutrition among children under the age of five years in Francistown, Botswana. The UNICEF conceptual framework was used as a guide in assessing and analysing the causes of the nutrition problem in children and assisted in the identification of appropriate solutions. Methods: The study was conducted on cases who had been admitted and referred at any time between March and July 2015. A quantitative research methodology was used to conduct the study. A case-control study design was utilised. Random selection of cases and controls was done on a ratio of 1:2 case per control. Cases included children under the age of five years admitted to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital and those referred to the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre within the hospital in Francistown-Botswana with a diagnosis of severe acute malnutrition. Controls were children of the same age, gender and attending the same Child welfare clinic as the case and with good nutritional status. Data was collected through face-to-face standardised interviews with care-givers. Results: Data collection was done using a combination of a review of records (child welfare clinic registers, and child welfare clinic cards) and structured questionnaires. 52 cases and 104 controls were selected with the prim…
abstract: Introduction: Malnutrition is the immediate result of inadequate dietary intake, the presence of disease or the interaction between these two factors. It is a complicated problem, an outcome of several etiologies. SAM is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five in developing countries. Although studies in Botswana show some improvement in child malnutrition since the 1980s, severe acute malnutrition still remains a cause for concern in many parts of the country. There is little information on undernourishment situation of children under the age of five years in the urban areas of the country. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors to severe acute malnutrition among children under the age of five years in Francistown, Botswana. The UNICEF conceptual framework was used as a guide in assessing and analysing the causes of the nutrition problem in children and assisted in the identification of appropriate solutions. Methods: The study was conducted on cases who had been admitted and referred at any time between March and July 2015. A quantitative research methodology was used to conduct the study. A case-control study design was utilised. Random selection of cases and controls was done on a ratio of 1:2 case per control. Cases included children under the age of five years admitted to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital and those referred to the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre within the hospital in Francistown-Botswana with a diagnosis of severe acute malnutrition. Controls were children of the same age, gender and attending the same Child welfare clinic as the case and with good nutritional status. Data was collected through face-to-face standardised interviews with care-givers. Results: Data collection was done using a combination of a review of records (child welfare clinic registers, and child welfare clinic cards) and structured questionnaires. 52 cases and 104 controls were selected with the prim…
author: Piniel, Abigail
keywords: Malnutrition, Children, Francistown (Botswana), Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)
license: https://uwcscholar.uwc.ac.za/bitstreams/d663f0db-f3ba-4101-ae74-afc5df7f52ae/download
date published: 2016
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:00:56Z
provider: University of the Western Cape
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of the Western Cape