MALNUTRITION AND TREATMENT OUTCOME AMONG CHILDREN ENROLLED IN A NUTRITION PROGRAMME AT NYARUBUYE HC III, KISORO DISTRICT.

ABSTRACT.

The study was carried out at Nyarubuye Health Centre III located in Nyarubuye Sub -County Kisoro District. The general objectives were to assess malnutrition and treatment out come among chidren under five years enrolled in a nutrition programme at Nyarubuye Health centre III and sponsored by USAID. Height /length for weight, weight for age, MUAC measurements and general physical examination were used.

In 100 children 92 were found to be having malnutrition. Out of 92 children majority 47 (51.1%) were between 2and 5 years of age followed by 31 (33.7%) who were between 1 and 2 years while 14 were less than 1 year of age .

In the treatment out come, out of the 92 children enrolled in the study 11 of them were having Kwashorkor with Oedema at of which 9 (81.8%) were found Oedema to have subsided during follow up time where as two (18.2%) Oedama were not subsided. In addition 27 children that were marusmic low weight for age, by the time of the follow up 23(85.2%) had gained weight where as only four (14.8%) had not gained weight . The findings are presented in form of bar graph, pie charts, table and figures.

Therefore from the findings of the study it is concluded that : Different forms of under nutrition are prevalent which include wasting and underweight among others such as stunting .

The study showed that prevalence of under nutrition among children is still high, particularly among children between 2 and 5 years and higher in males than females.

The recommendation is that screening of malnutrition should be perfomed to indentify the risk group with different degree of malnutrition so that proper intervention can be taken in the management by following WHO regimen. Success rate of out patient therapeutic feeding programme where Ready To Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is used should be monitored regularly.

A large multicenter study should be undertaken to determine the burden of malnutrition in Lake Zone and speculate its risk factors, will help to provide proper measures on how malnutrition can be prevented.

Prospective study should be conducted for better information by including other factors not included under this study such as sharing foods and this food suppliment (RUTF) among simblings, proper provision of the treatment to the indexed child at home, house income level, among others.