Child malnutrition in the municipal district of Jordão, Acre State, Brazilian Amazonia / Desnutrição infantil em Jordão, Estado do Acre, Amazônia Ocidental Brasileira

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2010

RESUMO

Despite the improvements in child nutrition in developing countries over recent decades, child malnutrition remains a serious public health issue in Brazil, particularly within Amazonia. Nutritional surveys on Amazonian populations are scarce and generally involve indigenous populations settled in reserves. Aim - To ascertain the prevalence and factors associated with child malnutrition in the municipal district of Jordão, Acre State, Brazilian Amazonia. Method - A cross-sectional study was conducted in 478 children aged less than five years from urban (census n=211) and rural (sample n=267) areas. The prevalence of nutritional deficits, for the indicators height for age (H/A), weight for age (W/A), and weight for height (W/H), were determined based on cut-off point - 2 Z scores, and overweight, for weight for height (W/H), based on cut-off point + 2 Z scores, using the standard child growth charts of the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO). Information was collected using structured questionnaires applied in domiciliary interviews with parents or guardians of the children. The prevalences of child malnutrition according to biological, socioeconomic and environmental variables were calculated. Multiple and hierarchical analysis of Poisson regression (robust standard error) was employed to identify factors associated with stunting (H/A deficit). Results - The prevalence of H/A, W/A, W/H deficits and overweight were 35.8 per cent, 7.3 per cent, 0.8 per cent and 2.1 per cent, respectively. Severe stunting (Z score <- 3 SD) were identified in 11.5 per cent of the children. Prevalence of stunting was higher with greater age. Children with Indigenous lineage residing in rural areas had the highest levels of stunting (59.4 per cent; 20.1 per cent of whom had severe deficit). After controlling for gender, age and dwelling (urban/rural), the factors associated with H/A deficit were: Indigenous lineage (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 2.10; confidence interval [95 per cent CI]: 1.63- 2.71), lowest third on domiciliary wealth index (PR: 1.57;95 per cent CI: 1.06; 2.33), residing in wooden hut or shack (PR: 1.62;95 per cent CI: 1.09- 2.40), maternal height less than or equal to 146.4 cm (PR: 3.05; 95 per cent CI: 1.87- 4.97), history of introduction of cow milk in first 30 days of life (PR: 1.35; 95 per cent CI: 1.03- 1.77), holding up-to-date vaccination card (PR: 0.66; 95 per cent CI: 0.47-0.94). Conclusion - In the present study, child malnutrition was found to be a serious public health problem, with prevalence of stunted growth at levels above the 2006 national average (7.0 per cent), attaining values close to 2007 WHO estimates for Sub-Saharan Africa (38.0). Interventions to achieve greater vaccination coverage, promote breastfeeding exclusively on mother´s milk, and measures to narrow the gap in social inequality would have a major impact on the control and prevention of child malnutrition in the municipal district studied

ASSUNTO(S)

desnutrição child health amazonia estado nutricional jordão malnutrition indigenous population amazônia jordão população indígena nutritional status saúde infantil

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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