Magnitude and Associated factors of Lactose intolerance among malnourished under five Children in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2018-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Lactose intolerance (LI) is a pathological condition characterized by the inability to digest a sugar, lactose, due to absence or insufficient activity of lactase enzyme (β-galactosidase). The prevalence of LI varies mainly with age, ethnicity, dose of lactose administered, and the laboratory method used for its diagnosis. Currently, LI treatment is based on empirical diagnosis. Laboratory diagnostic procedures for LI are poorly practiced in Ethiopia. Thus, it is difficult to discuss exactly about LI situation in Ethiopia.
Objective: To determine the magnitude and associated factors of lactose intolerance among malnourished under five children in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March – July, 2018.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among malnourished under five children admitted in pediatric unit, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College. By using convenient sampling technique structured questionnaire was administered to gather information on the socio-demographic characteristics of study participants and associated risk factors of LI. Moreover, fresh stool sample was collected from the study participants to measure stool pH by use of pH papers, reducing substances by use of Benedict's solution and microscopy examination for intestinal parasites. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21) software.
Results: The study included 169 malnourished under five children. Among those 90 (53.3%) were male with median age of 12 months. The magnitude of LI was 18.3%. Among the study participants highest numbers of LI cases were in age group of less than 12 month 17(10.1%) followed by 13-24 month 13(7.7%). The factors that show significant association with lactose intolerance on bi-variate logistic analysis were family history of lactose intolerance (P=0.043) and diarrhea (P=0.000). In addition; problem after taking milk (P=0.007), type of therapeutic milk formula (P=0.000) and frequency of stool/24hr (P=0.023) were found to be the independent predictor factors of lactose intolerance in the study population.
Conclusion: The magnitude of LI was high in the study setting. Thus it necessary to give more attention on the proper diagnosis of LI. In addition, similar large scale studies at molecular level is required to strengthen the present findings about LI in Ethiopia.
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Keywords
lactose intolerance; lactase deficiency; carbohydrate malabsorption