Clinico- epidemiological study of moderately and severlymalnourished children attended Tikrit Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Abstract
Malnutrition in certain communities represents both medical as well as social problem
that may contribute in or aggravate other illness. To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological
criteria of Malnutrition among children and its relevance factors in Tikrit province.
Patients and methods: This study was conducted in Tikrit Teaching Hospital for the
period from April/ 2005 to June/ 2005. One hundred fifty children with moderate to severe
malnutrition were included. The age range was 6 months to 60 months (mean 18, SD 11).
Children were clinically examined for signs of malnutrition. Assessment of malnutrition was
based on anthropometric measures weight and height depending on percentage of median and
standard deviation charts (Z score). A pre- constructed questionnaire was prepared for this
purpose which includes; age, sex, residence, type of feeding, educational level and occupation
of parents, and water supply.The results revealed that the highest percentage of malnutrition
was found among those with 6- 11 months (46%). Female were more affected than male (54%
vs. 46%). The majority of children suffering from malnutrition were belong to families reside
in rural areas 114 (76%). The educational levels of mother, type of feeding are also arise as
contributing factors of malnutrition. Socio-epidemiological factors and contributing in the
markedly prevalent malnutrition among children of 6 months to 5 years old in Tikrit province
Increase the health education of mothers about the importance of breast feeding and avoid
early feeding of liquid or solid diet and good sanitation.
Keywords: malnutrition, breast- feeding, Tikrit province.