Research Article

Effect of Plumpy'nut® on Malnourished Under Five Children in Kailahun, Eastern Sierra Leone

Authors: Victor Samuel Palmer, Mahmud Emkay Sesay, Kumba Yannah Karim Koroma, Prince Emmanuel Norman, Mohamed Foh.

DOI: 10.33425/2641-4295.1092

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Abstract

This study assessed the effect of Plumpy?nut® on malnourished under-five children and their comorbidities. Sixty malnourished under five children were selected from the Kailahun government hospital for the study. Data collected included patients’ demography (age, height, weight and sex), nutritional status, clinical findings, breast feeding activities, co-morbid conditions, duration of admission, and treatment outcomes. The Multiple Linear Regression Models involving child’s height, weight, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and amount of Plumpy?nut® given to the child were utilized to determine relationships among studied parameters. Findings revealed that majority of mothers did not practice appropriate exclusive breast feeding to their children (53%), the affected children were fed on rice (45.5%) and pap (34.1%); consequently, causing marasmus (72%), and kwashiorkor (20%). Majority of under five children admitted within November 2021 to June 2022 were males (57%), while 43% of them were females with a sex ratio of 1.3. About 68.8% of child’s weight was explained by Plumpy?nut® during admission and after discharge. The most common diseases that infected under-five children at the time of admission at the hospital were diarrhea (35.2%), diarrhea and vomiting (21.6%), severe diarrhea (12.5%), vomiting (8.0%), cough (4.5%), cough and vomiting (3.4%) and dehydration (2.3%). A strong positive relationship (0.820) between amount of Plumpy?nut® given to the child after discharge and child’s weight during nourishment that could be exploited as useful guide for policy makers in health program planning. Findings suggest use of awareness campaign, increased investment in health skill audits program, and quality health delivery services.

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