Prevalence of Malnutrition among Children in Rural Dhamar Governorate: A Pilot Retrospective Study

Background: Malnutrition among children is a major health problem in Yemen. This issue needs more attention and evaluation. Aim: This study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of acute malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months in rural Dhamar governorate, Yemen. Methods: A retrospective health facility-based study conducted on 457 children aged 6 to 59 months (mean age = 30.73 months, ± 17.65) receiving health services at two rural health centers in Dhamar governorate during the period between January and December 2017. Evaluation of nutrition status were based on health center records as source of given data including age, sex, medical history, findings of Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) scale. Results: The Overall prevalence of acute malnutrition among children was 29.32% (134/457). The rate of acute malnutrition was found to significantly higher among children aged 6-24 months compared to those of 25-59 months (45.21% vs. 18.22%; P < 0.001). As well, it was more prevalent in those suffered other health problems compared to those did not suffer such health issues (35.56% vs. 25.27%; P = 0.021). Accordingly, the distribution of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) was found to be 11.60% (53/457) and 17.72% (81/457), respectively. Conclusion: This short communication highlights a very important health issue touching a most susceptible group of the population. However, more detailed studies should carry out in order to evaluate the burden of malnutrition among children in Yemen.