Authors: Sow Djiby, Maty-Diagne-Camara, Nafy Ndiaye, Mouhamed Yakham LEYE, Malang Dabo, Ndour Michel Assane, Faye Fulgence A, Fall Ndiouga, Dieng Mouhamed, Djiba Boundia, Diédhiou Demba, Saou Houleye, Diallo IM, Sarr Anna and Ndour Mbaye Maimouna, Abdoulaye Leye.
Introduction: Dietary practices can lead to stunted growth in children. The aim was to study stunting and dietary practices in children under 5 in the Sédhiou region.
Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The target population was children under 5 years of age. The sampling method was two-stage cluster sampling. The study period was from January 28 to February 20, 2019. Data analysis was performed using R Studio, ENA FOR SMART and Excel.
Results: A total of 748 children were colligated. The mean age of the children was 28.83 months, with a standard deviation of 15.93 months. The minimum age was 0 months and the maximum 59.53 months. The minimum height was 38.7 cm and the maximum 127.7 cm, with a median of 83.9 cm. Males accounted for 51.2%, with a sex ratio of 1.04 in favor of males. The overall prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children aged 0-5 years was 29.7%. Bivariate analysis showed that breastfeeding (p=0.01), colostrum administration (p=0.02) and parents' level of education (p=0.02) were significantly associated with stunted growth in children. Multivariate analysis showed that the main factor associated with stunted growth in children aged 0 to 5 in Sédhiou was breastfeeding (p=0.016).
Conclusion: In Sédhiou, breastfeeding, the administration of colostrum and parents' low level of education are explanatory factors for chronic malnutrition in children under 5. A wide-ranging communication campaign would raise parents' awareness of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for children's health.
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