Prevalence and Determinants of Malnutrition Among Schoolchildren in Primary Schools in the Communes of Dixinn, Matam and Matoto, Conakry, Guinea, 2016

Malnutrition leads to disruption of cognitive development and poor academic performance among children. However, few studies have been conducted in primary school to measure its burden and risk factors in Guinea. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of malnutrition and determine its associated factors among primary school children in Conakry, Guinea. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1st, 2015 to March 31st, 2016 among fifth grade primary school children in three communes of Conakry, Guinea. Children aged between 8 to 19 years were randomly selected using a two-stage sampling technic. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, of both children and their parents, and food habits were collected. The Z-scores of height-for-age and body mass index (BMI) were generated using SPSS macro 2007 developed by WHO for the analysis of anthropometric data for children aged between 5-19 years. Acute malnutrition was defined as a weight-for-height z-score ≤-2.0 standard deviation (SD) and a chronic malnutrition was considered as a height-for-age z-score ≤-2.0 standard deviation (SD). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess factors associated with acute or chronic malnutrition among children. A total of 2,408 children were included in the analysis. The mean age was 12.5±1.8 years, and 53.4% were female. The prevalence of acute malnutrition was 11.8% (95% CI: 10.6-13.2) and that of chronic malnutrition was 13.7% (95% CI: 12.1-14.9). Being a male (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.45-2.45, p <.001), living in the communes of Dixinn (AOR = 3.78, 95% CI: 2.53-5.65, p <.001) and Matoto (AOR = 3.45, 95% CI: 2.29-5.20, p <.001), as well as having a father who was a trader (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.41, p =.007) were statistically significantly associated with acute malnutrition. Children attending Matoto schools (AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: 2.68-5.16, p<.001) were independently associated with chronic malnutrition. Acute and chronic malnutrition were common in primary school children in Conakry. Targeted awareness raising actions must be undertaken with the parents of those who have an important risk