European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MANAGEMENT QUALITY EVALUATION OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION WITH COMPLICATIONS: THE CASE OF 0-59 MONTHS CHILDREN ADMITTED TO THE THERAPEUTIC NUTRITIONAL UNIT (UNT) OF THE NOTRE DAME DES APÔTRES (NDA) HOSPITAL IN N'DJAMENA, CHAD

Makhlouf Himeda*, Mahamat Bechir, Barka Abakoura, Mahamat Garba Issa, Ali Haroun Hissein and Abdelsalam Tidjani

ABSTRACT

Malnutrition represents a considerable challenge for human health in Chad and its management is carried out base on the National Protocol for the Management of Acute Malnutrition. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the management quality of severe acute malnutrition with complications in children aged 0-59 months admitted to the Therapeutic Nutritional Unit (TNU) of the Notre Dame des Apôtres Hospital (NDAH). The investigated population sample is made up of 101 mothers whose children are admitted to the TNU. Data is collected through anthropometric measurements, and a questionnaire addressed to the mothers of the admitted children, and to the TNU staff. The results of the study show that 93% of the mothers are married of which 68.89% live in monogamous families. On the other hand, 55.45% of the mothers or accompanying women do not have any revenue generating activity but mostly limited to household activities. The average number of children per woman is 2.9, i.e. 3 children per woman. Illiterate mothers count for 35.64% of the women, which is approximately the same percentage compare to that of those who have reached secondary school level. The majority of mothers rate the reception as good for the first and also for the other admission days at respectively 99.01% and 88.12%. All the staff (100%) reassure that the mothers of malnourished children admitted to the TNU are advised to breastfeed their children. Although the quality of malnutrition management in this hospital is acceptable, much remains to be done to ensure strict compliance with the national protocol for the management of acute malnutrition.

Keywords: Malnutrition, children, mother, quality, TNU.