Treatment Outcomes and Its associated factors among Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition at Therapeutic Feeding Units of Regional Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2018-10
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: Nearly 17 million children are affected by severe acute malnutrition worldwide. Ethiopia is one of the countries with highest under five child mortality rate, with malnutrition underlying to 28% of all children deaths. Overall, 10 percent of children in Ethiopia are wasted, and 3 percent are severely wasted (below -3 SD). This study provides an insight regarding the overall management SAM & help to improve the management of severe acute malnutrition in the hospitals.
Objective: This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes and factors associated with recovery among children with severe acute malnutrition at the therapeutic feeding unit of regional hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using retrospective data at Yekatit 12 and Zewditu memorial hospital therapeutic feeding unit. About 544 children aged less than 59 months old who have been admitted since January 1, 2013 up to December 31, 2017 for management of severe acute malnutrition were used. One population proportion sample size determination formula was used. Factors associated with treatment outcome were assessed using binary logistic regression. Descriptive statistics was used to show distribution of variables.
Results: Among 544 admitted children to therapeutic feeding unit included in the study 77.4% were cured, 13.2% were dead, 4.6% transferred out and 4.8% were defaulted. The odd of recovery was decreased by 59% among orphan children with severe acute malnutrition. Longer duration of hospital stay and attachment of follow-up chart to the individual folder was also positive indicator of recovery but children with HIV, Tuberculosis, dehydration and stunting were less likely to recover. In addition, being unvaccinated and not exposed to sunlight were significant factors that influence recovery of the children admitted in TFU.
Conclusion: The recovery of SAM in the hospitals was in the acceptable range. On the other hand their death rates were beyond the international acceptable range. Tuberculosis and HIV /AIDS co morbidities were statistically significant factors that hinder recovery rate of malnourished children.
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sever acute malnutrition; treatment outcome; regional hospital; Addis Ababa