Title:
Determinants of the Brachial Perimeter in the Management of Acute Malnutrition at the Ureni of Kayes in 2019

Authors:
Samou Diarra*, Magloire Mbukembo, Mali

Abstract:

Introduction: Malnutrition is a public health problem in Mali.  It is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age [1]. The management of acute malnutrition at the level of the different units and its screening at the community level use the brachial perimeter (BP). In health centers, the weight/height index is the most commonly used to determine acute malnutrition [2]. The present study examines PB and its determinants at the URENI of the CSRéf of Kayes. It aims to analyze the PB, to provide providers of acute malnutrition management units with updated data on the links between the PB variable and other variables in order to contribute to the improvement of acute malnutrition treatment.

Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study of 400 records of children hospitalized at the URENI of the CSRéf of Kayes in 2019.

Results: Of all the SAM patients, only 57% had a SAM PB. The PB measure was less predictive of SAM than the W/S index. Statistically significant associations were observed between PB and W/S index; PB and underweight.

Discussion: The average PB was 108.6 mm. A study performed in CSRéf de Nara (Koulikoro region, Mali) in 2016 had found a mean PB at 105 mm [3]. In our study, 57% of the sample had a PB SAM and 95.5% had a W/SSAM ratio. This observation is similar to that of Sidibé M. during his study at the URENI of the CSRéf of Kalaban in 2018 [4]. 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2022.6305