Impact of Diarrhoea on the Nutritional Status among Children under Five Years old

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the impact of diarrhoea on the nutritional status (N.S) of children under five years, attending Omdurman pediatrics hospital. Khartoum State. The study involved 60 children (33 boys and 27 girls). A questionnaire was used to collect data; weights and heights were measured for each child and converted to nutritional indices (WHO.NCHS, 1995). The study showed that there was significant difference (p? 0.05) between the nutritional status of children affected by diarrhoea, and the family size, weaning practices and the presence of animals at home for meat, milk or eggs. The result showed that 96.7% of children were affected by malnutrition (Acute, Mild, Moderate). 91.7% of children their age ranged between one day � 2 years , 44.9% of mothers educational level were low,73.3% of them their family income ranged between 100-300 Sudanese pounds , 41.7% were living in scattered areas.77.8% of children were forbidden from breast feeding , milk and juice . 61.7% did not use oral rehydration therapy at home, 41.7% were using smoking (Dokhan) treatment, 93.3%of their mothers used incorrect preparation of homemade solution. The study recommended that attention must be directed towards an environmental hygiene, provided safe water supplies, promotion and continuity of breast feeding, nutrition and health education is needed to raise awareness of mothers to correct the incorrect practices of diarrhoea