Magnitude and Treatment Outcome of Severe Acute Malnutrition of 6-59 Months Children in Raya Alamata Woreda, Tigray Region, Ethiopia from 2011-2015

Background: Globally, 4% death burden and 25 to 35 million attribute to severe acute malnutrition. One million death burden and 13 million attributable to severe acute malnutrition in sub Saharan Africa whereas 3% was severe wasting in Ethiopia. Objective: To describe the magnitude and treatment outcome of severe acute malnutrition of aged 6-59 months children in Raya Alamata woreda, southern zone of Tigray Region from 2011 to 2015. Methods: Retrospective record review of five years (2011-2015) aged 6-59 months old children of severe acute malnutrition data was conducted in Raya Alamata woreda which is found in southern zone of Tigray Region. Malnutrition extraction form tool was used to extract data from records and data was analyzed pertaining with variables time, place and person by Microsoft excel of 2010. Result: During the study period, 2009 total admissions of severe acute malnutrition cases identified. Two deaths with a case fatality rate of 0.26% were reported from Outpatient therapeutic program and Establishing center. About 1856 (92.4%) of the total Severe acute malnutrition cases were new admissions. Incidence rate of new admission with the magnitude of 39 cases per 1000 population per year in 2011 and decreased from 41 in 2012 to 17 cases per1000 population per year in 2015. Of new admission of severe acute malnutrition, 10.2% cases admitted by edema in 2011. Age- specific cure rate of 6-59 months decreased 91.3% in 2011 to 90.2% in 2015 and defaulter rate decreased from 10.3% in 2011 to 0% in 2015 with non-responder 3.4% in 2011 to 0% in 2015. Conclusion: Death rate was almost Zero except fatality rate in 2013 which is 0.26%. Therapeutic feeding program admissions were increased from 2011 to 2012 and decreased to 2015. The case management of severe acute malnutrition and community based Nutrition program should be strengthened.