The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factors
BackgroundThis study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) among children in this region during a period of conflict.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1,200 children under 5 years old,...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1478485/full |
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| author | Ahmed Albelbeisi Kate Zinszer Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Samer Abuzerr |
| author_facet | Ahmed Albelbeisi Kate Zinszer Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Samer Abuzerr |
| author_sort | Ahmed Albelbeisi |
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| description | BackgroundThis study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) among children in this region during a period of conflict.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1,200 children under 5 years old, selected through stratified random sampling from three governorates in the Gaza Strip. Data were collected using structured interviews and physical examinations, including Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurements to determine nutritional status based on established cut-off points. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS, version 26.ResultsAmong the 1,200 children screened, 605 (50.8%) were males and 595 (49.2%) were females. The age distribution of the children screened showed that 48.4% (n = 581) fall within the range of 6 months to <24 months category and 51.6% (n = 619) fall within the range of 24–60 months. Overall, 58.3% of children live in schools, 26.6% live in houses, and 15.1% reside in tents. The overall prevalence of malnutrition across all regions was 16.6%, including 6.7% with SAM and 9.7% with MAM. The prevalence of SAM is highest in North Gaza and South Gaza (both at 6.8%) and slightly lower in the Middle Zone (6.5%). For MAM, the highest prevalence is in South Gaza (11.5%), with Middle Zone showing the lowest rate (7.3%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that children living in houses had a higher likelihood of SAM (OR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.39–3.99) and MAM (OR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.13–1.84), and children living in schools had a higher likelihood of SAM (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.35–5.74) and MAM (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.14–3.80) compared to those in tents. Notably, children residing in North Gaza were significantly more likely to experience SAM (OR = 13.2; 95% CI = 6.23–27.95) and MAM (OR = 10.51; 95% CI = 5.74–19.3) compared to those in South Gaza.ConclusionThe study highlights a high prevalence of malnutrition among children under five in the Gaza Strip, particularly among those living in houses, shelters and in the North Gaza governorate. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions and support for affected families in conflict zones. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7523d591c4ef4d5ebe50da0f289e724a |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| spelling | doaj-art-7523d591c4ef4d5ebe50da0f289e724a2024-11-27T04:30:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2024-11-011110.3389/fnut.2024.14784851478485The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factorsAhmed Albelbeisi0Kate Zinszer1Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi2Samer Abuzerr3College of Health Professions, Israa University, Gaza City, PalestineDepartment of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montréal, QC, CanadaDepartment of Nutrition, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Palestine, Gaza City, PalestineDepartment of Medical Sciences, University College of Science and Technology, Khan Younis, PalestineBackgroundThis study aims to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) among children in this region during a period of conflict.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1,200 children under 5 years old, selected through stratified random sampling from three governorates in the Gaza Strip. Data were collected using structured interviews and physical examinations, including Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurements to determine nutritional status based on established cut-off points. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS, version 26.ResultsAmong the 1,200 children screened, 605 (50.8%) were males and 595 (49.2%) were females. The age distribution of the children screened showed that 48.4% (n = 581) fall within the range of 6 months to <24 months category and 51.6% (n = 619) fall within the range of 24–60 months. Overall, 58.3% of children live in schools, 26.6% live in houses, and 15.1% reside in tents. The overall prevalence of malnutrition across all regions was 16.6%, including 6.7% with SAM and 9.7% with MAM. The prevalence of SAM is highest in North Gaza and South Gaza (both at 6.8%) and slightly lower in the Middle Zone (6.5%). For MAM, the highest prevalence is in South Gaza (11.5%), with Middle Zone showing the lowest rate (7.3%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that children living in houses had a higher likelihood of SAM (OR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.39–3.99) and MAM (OR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.13–1.84), and children living in schools had a higher likelihood of SAM (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.35–5.74) and MAM (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.14–3.80) compared to those in tents. Notably, children residing in North Gaza were significantly more likely to experience SAM (OR = 13.2; 95% CI = 6.23–27.95) and MAM (OR = 10.51; 95% CI = 5.74–19.3) compared to those in South Gaza.ConclusionThe study highlights a high prevalence of malnutrition among children under five in the Gaza Strip, particularly among those living in houses, shelters and in the North Gaza governorate. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions and support for affected families in conflict zones.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1478485/fullsevere acute malnutrition (SAM)moderate acute malnutrition (MAM)nutritional statusmid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)child healthsocio-demographic determinants |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed Albelbeisi Kate Zinszer Abdel Hamid El Bilbeisi Samer Abuzerr The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factors Frontiers in Nutrition severe acute malnutrition (SAM) moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) nutritional status mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) child health socio-demographic determinants |
| title | The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factors |
| title_full | The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factors |
| title_fullStr | The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factors |
| title_full_unstemmed | The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factors |
| title_short | The burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict-afflicted Gaza strip: prevalence and associated factors |
| title_sort | burden of acute malnutrition among children under five in conflict afflicted gaza strip prevalence and associated factors |
| topic | severe acute malnutrition (SAM) moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) nutritional status mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) child health socio-demographic determinants |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1478485/full |
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