Nutrition impacts of non-solid cooking fuel adoption on under-five children in developing countries

This paper examines the nutrition impacts of using non-solid cooking fuel on under-five children in developing countries.We draw on data from more than 1.12 million children in 62 developing countries from the Demographic and Health Surveys(DHS).Results from both fixed effects(FE)and instrumental variable(IV)estimates show that using non-solid cooking fuel significantly improves the nutrition outcomes of under-five children.Compared with their peers from households mainly using solid fuel,children from households mainly using non-solid fuel exhibit a lower probability of experiencing stunting(by 5.9 percentage points)and being underweight(by 1.2 percentage points).Our further investigation provides evidence for several underlying mechanisms,such as improved indoor air quality,induced reduction in children’s respiratory symptoms,benefits on maternal health,and reduction in maternal time spent on fuel collection or cooking.Heterogenous analyses suggest that the nutrition benefits of using non-solid cooking fuel are more prominent among boys,children above three years old,and those from households of lower socioeconomic status,rural areas,and Southeast Asia.

Effect of a Nutrition Education Intervention on Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mothers of Children under 5 Years in the Peri-Urban Areas of Bobo-Dioulasso: Before and after Study

Background: This study assessed the effect of a nutrition education intervention. This intervention aimed to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers on food safety in the peri-urban areas of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. Methods: A total of 243 mothers of children under 5 years in the peri-urban of Bobo-Dioulasso were administered the FAO questionnaire for food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices assessment during two cross-sectional surveys, before and after the intervention, in January and October 2017. The intervention included two components consisting of a theoretical phase (counselling and discussion) and cooking demonstrations implemented for ten months. To account for the before-and-after design of the study, the McNemar’s test was used to assess the effect of the intervention on food safety KAP of mothers of children under 5 years. Results: The mean age of mothers was 29 ± 6.2 years and 50.6% of them were between 20 and 29 years old. One for knowledge (cooking thoroughly with, p-value = 0.0001) and another for attitudes (perceived benefits of reheating leftovers before eating them, p-value = 0.0001), significantly increased after the intervention. In terms of food safety practices, all the indicators (cleaning of dirty surfaces, plates and utensils and storage of perishable foods) significantly increased (all p = 0.0001 Conclusion: This study provided some evidence of an effective nutrition education intervention for improving maternal KAP on food safety for their child’s feeding.

Prevalence of Malnutrition among Hospitalized Pediatric Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan: Pilot Study

Introduction: Failure to thrive (FTT) occurs when a child’s growth falls below expected standards, typically due to inadequate nutrient intake. Factors include insufficient oral intake, poor nutrient absorption, and increased metabolic demands. Previous studies have shown high malnutrition rates in hospitalized children due to illness-related metabolic demands, decreased appetite, and inadequate intake. Our objective was to assess the growth and nutritional status of children admitted to King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) and identify the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional cohort study was conducted at KAUH from July to December 2022. We included children aged 2 months to 16 years, excluding those with conditions altering growth parameters. Data were collected through pediatric data sheets, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and growth was assessed using CDC growth charts. Nutritional anemia was defined as hemoglobin 16. Results: A total of 111 patients were included (56.8% male, median age 65 months). Most patients had normal height (82%) and weight (86.5%) upon admission. However, 14.4% were stunted, 11.7% were underweight, 14.4% were overweight, and 3.6% were obese. Growth impairment correlated with higher anemia rates (p = 0.042). Nutritional anemia was present in 12% of patients. No significant relation was found between breastfeeding history and growth retardation, but maternal perception of malnutrition correlated well with actual malnutrition. Conclusion: Our study found a malnutrition prevalence of 19.8%, highlighting the need for systematic nutritional screening in hospitalized children. The study’s limitations include its small sample size and specific patient population, suggesting the need for larger, multicenter studies for more generalizable results.

Dairy Consumption and Associations with Nutritional Status of Chinese Children and Adolescents

Objective This study aimed to describe frequency and quantity of total dairy consumption of Chinese children and adolescents and explore the associations between dairy consumption and nutrition status, including stunting, wasting, overweight, and obesity. Methods Participants included 28,250 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years old. A food frequency questionnaire(FFQ) including 100 kinds of food was used to collect information about frequency and quantity of dairy consumption. Determination of stunting was with a height cutoff value for age and gender, and determination for wasting, overweight, and obesity was with BMI for age and gender. Results Of the total sample, 36.1% of children aged 6-17 reported consuming dairy food more than once per day(≥ 1/day). The average total dairy intake of all the participants was 126.7 g/day. For boys, dairy consumption had an inverse correlation with stunting and wasting after controlling for confounders. For girls, dairy consumption was negatively associated with stunting and obesity after controlling for confounders as above. Conclusion Dairy consumption in Chinese children and adolescents was relatively lower than that in developed countries, and was negatively associated with stunting and wasting for boys and with stunting and obesity for girls.

Nutrition in Chinese-Korean Children and Adolescents

Objective To study the nutrition habits among Chinese-Korean children and adolescents in Yanbian Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin, China. Methods Data were obtained from the Chinese National Survey on Students＇ Constitution and Health in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 for Chinese-Korean children and adolescents aged 7-18 years. The number of the subjects included was 4789, 4704, 5875, and 5315, respectively. Results The rate of the occurrence of stunting showed a declining trend from 1995 to 2010 （for boys： urban, 6.3%; rural, 12.7% in 1995 and 3.5% for both in 2010. For girls： urban, 7.8%; rural, 13.4% in 1995 and 4.2% and 5.5%, respectively, in 2010）. Although the ratio of wasting did not show significant differences between the urban and rural children and adolescents in 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 respectively, the ratio of occurrence of overweight or obesity increased （for boys： urban, 7.3% and 1.3% in 1995, 17.6% and 12.9% in 2010; rural, 7.0% and 1.3% in 1995, 14.6% and 12.8% in 2010, respectively. For girls： urban, 8.1% and 1.0% in 1995, 17.3% and 8.6% in 2010; rural 5.7% and 0.7% in 1995, 16.4% and 7.4% in 2010, respectively）. Conclusion The ratio of malnutrition in children and adolescents in Chinese-Korean areas declined from 1995 to 2010, and the distinction in malnutrition between the urban and rural areas was negligible in 2010. Further, the ratio of overweight and obesity increased over this period.

National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for Children 0–17 Years of Age in China

The main purpose of the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children 0-17 years of age in China(CNHSC)was to collect basic data on the nutrition,development,and health status for children in different regions across China using evidence-based,reliable,and cost-effective approaches.Children and their parents or guardians from seven regions(south,southwest,north,northwest,eastern,central,and northeast China)in China were recruited.A multi-stage stratified randomized sampling method was used.Two provinces were randomly sampled from each of the seven regions,from which one urban district and one rural country were also randomly sampled,resulting in a total of 28 survey counties/districts.Dietary surveys,health examinations,laboratory testing,and questionnaires were used to collect dietary intake,nutritional status,child development,and health status information.Nutrition,health,and lifestyle assessment of children and their parents was determined using the Knowledge Attitude Practice(KAP)survey.Greater than 100,000 children(38,000 children<6 years of age and 66,000 children6-17 years of age)completed the survey.The survey provided comprehensive data on child nutrition and health status for future studies and will serve as the basis for an integrated nutrition and health improvement strategies proposal for children in China.

Effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention for the improvement of nutritional status and nutrition knowledge of children in poverty-stricken areas in Shaanxi Province, China

Objectives:Compare the differences between the intervention and control groups in changes of primary outcomes(body mass index[BMI]and waist-to-height ratio[WHtR])and secondary outcomes(nutrition knowledge of children and parents),from baseline to the 6-and 12-month follow-ups;examine the associations of changes in nutrition knowledge of children and their parents with children’s changes in BMI and WHtR.Data sources:Data collected from four schools in two poverty-stricken counties in northern Shaanxi Province in 2020‒2021.Methods:A multifaced intervention program targeted children(promoting healthy diet and nutrition education)and their parents(promoting nutrition knowledge)was conducted in the interventional group.Four schools,with two in each group,were randomly allocated to the intervention or control group,with 814 eligible children aged 7.1 to 12.8 years.The control group conducted myopia promotion.Differences in changes of BMI and WHtR between groups were compared with t-test.Mixed-effects model was used to examine the associations between changes in nutrition knowledge of children and parents with changes in children’s BMI and WHtR.Results:At the 6-month follow-up,the difference in changes in BMI between the intervention and control groups was 0.4 kg/m 2(P<0.001).At the 12-month follow-up,the difference in changes in BMI and WHtR between intervention and control groups was 0.1 kg/m^(2)(P<0.001)and 0.01 kg/m^(2)(P<0.001).In the intervention group,the nutrition knowledge awareness rate of children increased from 16.9%(69/409)at baseline to 21.3%(87/409)at 6-month,and 22.7%(93/409)at 12-month.The awareness rate of nutrition knowledge of parents also fluctuated,from 5.6%(23/409)to 6.6%(27/409)and 5.4%(22/409).However,the difference in changes in nutrition knowledge between intervention and control groups was non-significant.The 6-month follow-up changes in children’s nutrition knowledge scores were negatively associated with changes in BMI in girls(β=−0.26,95%confidence interval[CI]:−0.38 to−0.14,P<0.001),while positively associated with changes in WHtR in boys(β=0.003,95%CI:−0.0002 to 0.005,P=0.035).The 12-month follow-up changes in children’s nutrition knowledge scores were positively associated with changes in children’s WHtR(β=0.003,95%CI:0.0004 to 0.01,P=0.018).Conclusions:The intervention strategies did not reduce the BMI and WHtR of children,and the nutrition knowledge of children and parents increased after the intervention in intervention group.Changes in nutrition knowledge of children and their parents are associated with changes in children’s BMI or WHtR.Interventions with a new focus on obesity are needed to help improve children’s nutritional status in poverty-stricken areas in Shaanxi Province of China.

Exclusive enteral nutrition in children with crohn＇s dis

Exclusive enteral nutrition involves the use of acomplete liquid diet, with the exclusion of normaldietary components for a defined period of time,as a therapeutic measure to induce remission inactive Crohn＇s disease （CD）. This very efficaciousapproach leads to high rates of remission, especiallyin children and adolescents newly diagnosed withCD. This intervention also results in mucosal healing,AbstractExclusive enteral nutrition involves the use of acomplete liquid diet, with the exclusion of normaldietary components for a defined period of time,as a therapeutic measure to induce remission inactive Crohn＇s disease （CD）. This very efficaciousapproach leads to high rates of remission, especiallyin children and adolescents newly diagnosed withCD. This intervention also results in mucosal healing,

Nutritional Status and Dietary Habits of School Children in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt

Objectives: Childhood malnutrition is a major concern in developing countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the nutritional status and dietary habits of school children. Methods: This is a community based cross-sectional survey designed to evaluate nutritional status of students aged (5 - 19 years) in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt, during September-December 2013. A two-stage sampling technique was done;22 government schools were selected in the first stage. In the second stage, 1100 students were selected from the target population of the study. Weight, height, and age data were used to calculate z-scores of the three different nutritional indicators. Dietary habits were studied using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Underweight (WAZ +2SD). Boys were more underweight (3%) than girls (2.2%). Conversely, girls tend to be more stunted (65.3%) compared to boys (59.9%) in the age group 10 - 14 years. Identified risk factors associated with malnutrition for those aged more than 10 years were: mother education (P-value = 0.03), father education (P-value = 0.04) and family size (P-value = 0.014). Conclusion and Recommendations: Child’s nutritional status is strongly associated with the literacy of both parents and family size. The prevalence of malnutrition can be reduced by implementation of school intervention programs for the socioeconomic development.

Evaluation of Dietary Diversity, Nutrient Adequacy and Nutritional Status of Pre-school Children in Three Local Government Areas of Ibadan, Nigeria

Malnutrition remains a public health challenge in Nigeria, partly due to poor diversity of diets. Pre-school children are among the vulnerable groups who are mostly affected in communities, as their nutritional status is largely influenced by the quality of diets they consume. Most studies aimed at malnutrition among under-five children have been focused on meeting protein-energy needs without much consideration for micronutrients needs. Dietary diversity has been advocated as a means of meeting nutritional requirements of children. This study was designed to assess the dietary diversity in relation to nutrient adequacy and nutritional status of pre-school children in Ibadan. The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 552 pre-schoolers aged 3-5 years in Egbeda, Ona-Ara and Ido Three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ibadan metropolis. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics of mother and child. Nutritional status was determined using anthropometric indices. Food frequency questionnaire of 9 food groups was used to obtain dietary diversity scores (DDS) classified as low (< 4 food groups), average (4 to 6 food groups), and high (≥ 7 food groups);and 24-hour dietary recall was used to obtain nutrient adequacy of diet. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and level of significance set at p < 0.05. Malnutrition among pre-schoolers was more prevalent among males (22.0%) than females (18.4%). Stunting was the most prevalent form of malnutrition (26.8%). The DDS of pre-schoolers was low (3.2 ± 1.9). The most consumed food group was cereals, roots and tubers (83.9%) while fruit was least consumed (6.5%). Nutrient adequacy ratio for carbohydrate was highest (1.2 ± 0.2) and least in fibre (0.2 ± 0.2), while mean adequacy ratio for food consumed was (0.72 ± 0.13). There was weak relationship between DDS and nutritional status—wasting (r =-0.067), stunting (r =-0.002) and underweight (r =-0.056). Low dietary diversity and malnutrition existed among pre-school children in the three LGAs. Nutrition education and enlightenment programmes are required by the parents/guardians of pre-school children on importance of dietary diversity in these areas.

More children nutrition distribution, less labor incentive: Evidence from Chinese collective agriculture

Distribution system will affect the labor incentive that has been heatedly discussed by recent literatures.Using a unique micro dataset, this paper dem on strates that the equalitaria n distributi on system is one of the reas ons for the in sufficie nt labor incentive during the Chinese Collective Agriculture period. Specifically speaking, in the distribution of basic rations, the proportion for children (aged 1-3 and 4-7 years) was often beyond their nutrition demand, resulting the dissatisfaction of other families with more laborers and less children, thus these households will reduce their labor supply gradually. At the same time, the existence of outstanding accounts makes it a failure to use work points to buy distributions, which is the mechanism of the distribution system and insufficient labor incentive. All the results have been accepted by the robustness tests. The study will help to understand the distribution system and labor incentive, as well as the failure of the Chinese collective agriculture.

Acceptability, Nutritional Quality and Contribution of Vegetable-Enriched Products to Nutrient and Energy Requirements of School Children Aged 5 to 13 Years

Micronutrient deficiency (MD) is a problem among schoolchildren which, in addition to other effects, also affects their intellectual abilities. Inclusion of vegetables to food formulations can help to reduce MD because they contain vital micronutrients which are required for improved school performance. This study aimed at evaluating acceptability, determining the nutritional quality and estimating the contribution of vegetable enriched products to the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of schoolchildren (5 to 13 years). The vegetables used were red and green amaranth leaves, orange fleshed sweet potato and pumpkin. Selection of vegetables was based on richness in micronutrients;local availability and consumption levels in Uganda;and their underutilization status particularly in processed form. Each of the vegetables was preprocessed and incorporated separately into soybean and grain amaranth in the ratio of 10:40:50, respectively, to improve the nutrient and energy density of the formulations. Sensory screening of formulations in a range of products (porridges, soups and snacks) revealed that orange fleshed sweet potato formulation was most preferred for porridge as well as for snacks (at 30:70 ratio of orange fleshed sweet potato composite to wheat flour);while red amaranth leaves composite was most preferred for soup. When tested for acceptability, nutritional quality, as well as contribution to the RDA (for vitamin A, iron, zinc, protein and energy) for schoolchildren 5 to 13 years, acceptability tests and nutritional quality of food products from the formulations were highly rated compared to commercial products (pure maize porridge, wheat based soup and 100% refined wheat flour snacks). All products from the two formulations contributed favourably to vitamin A, iron, zinc and protein requirements of children (5 to 13 years). Based on these findings, orange fleshed sweet potato composite flour can be recommended for making porridge, and can substitute (30%) for wheat flour in making snacks;while red amaranth leaf composite flour can be recommended for making soups.

Assessment of Japanese healthy children’s nutritional status using Waterlow classification

Malnutrition is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, and may case an undesirable effect on the growth and development in children. There have been several reports about the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children, but reports about malnutrition in a large number of healthy children are quite limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of likelihood of malnutrition in Japanese healthy children. We retrospectively reviewed data of height and weight at a regular health check in 7517 healthy children (age 3 - 17;3747 boys, 3770 girls) during 2008 and 2010 in Nara city, Japan. The data were evaluated using Waterlow classification, i.e., weight-for-height (W/H) and height-for-age (H/A). The prevalence of under-nutrition, as estimated by the values of W/H less than 90% and H/A less than 95%, were 20.1% and 8.3%, respectively, and this prevalence of malnutrition risk tended to vary substantially with age. The peak levels of the prevalence were found to be at around 12 years old for both sexes in W/H, and at around 11 years old for boys and at around 10 years old for girls in H/A. We have clearly demonstrated the existence of certain percentages of the likelihood of malnutrition at different ages in healthy children. These findings suggest that when we want to evaluate the nutritional status using Waterlow classification in hospitalized children, we should be careful by taking such reference values into account.

Analysis and Intervention of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Children at an Urban Public School in Mumbai, India

Background: There is a dearth of information regarding trends of malnutrition and weight status in children from rapidly developing economies like India. Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics of malnutrition in a group of school children from India, and then provide interventions for the children that have severe acute malnutrition. Methods: Children that were found to lie between &#8722;3 to &#8722;4 SD of parameters of BMI, height for age and weight for age were labeled as SAM. Children that were screened for wasting and fell between &#8722;2 to &#8722;4 SD were also included under the label of SAM. All participants were also given a prototype 1500-calorie diet to follow for the entire duration and 6 weekly sessions were taken for the parents on various topics on nutrition. Results: Quantitative analysis showed a great improvement in weights and heights of severely malnourished children. The average increase in weight of all children that participated in the study was 9.09% and the average increase in height was 1.39%. The weekly sessions given to the parents on various nutrition topics could be the cause of high compliance to the diet given to the children. Conclusion: Malnutrition is still a very big problem in developing countries like India. Basic interventions like an improvement in diet, education about micronutrients and balanced diet, and food-based interventions in severe malnutrition can lead to a great improvement in the health and development status of children.

Nutrition Status of Children Under-Five Years in Cassava Consuming Communities in Nambale, Busia of Western Kenya

A study was carried out to assess the nutritional status of under-five child population within cassava consuming community in Nambale of western Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio economic data, 24-hour food re-call and anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive statistics were used while Pearson’s Chi Square and correlation coefficient (R) were used to test for statistical associations. A total of 320 households with 232 children participated. The findings showed nutrition status of children to be poor (50% changes in stunting could not be attributed to age of child or education level of the head of household. Farm ownership was a strong positive determinant of nutrition status, Pearson’s R = 0.233. This study has established that cassava cushions hunger and there is need to improve nutrient content.

The Effect of the Family’s Socioeconomic Factors on Nutrition of Elementary School Children

Introduction: Anthropometric indices are used for assessing the nutrition status of people and societies. The indices determine the growth of the child’s nutrition status, his socioeconomic status and his quality of life. This research aims to study the anthropometric indices of elementary school children in the Iranian city of Piranshahr using the Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference in the first six months of 2011. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, 1803 students aged between 7 and 11 in Piranshahr were studied. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used. The research setting was an elementary school in Piranshahr. Demographic data were collected through interviews and record in questionnaires. A Secca stadiometer was used to measure the height of each student standing without shoes (accuracy of 0.1 centimeter). The weight was measured using a spring scale with an accuracy of 0.1 kilogram with the least possible clothes on. The weight was divided by the square of height (square meter) to calculate BMI. To determine overweight and obesity, BMI percentiles of Center for Disease Control (CDC) were used. In order to use appropriate tests, the normality and equality of variances were measured by Leven and K-S tests, respectively. Results: The study found that 231 children (12.8%) were at risk of overweight and 96 children (5.3%) were overweight. Conclusion: There was a meaningful difference between boys and girls in terms of nutrition status of BMI, father’s higher education level, shortness, abdominal obesity and family history of obesity, and father’s jobs

Impact of multivitamin and mineral supplements on mortality and nutritional status of hospitalized severely malnourished HIV/AIDS infected children

Micronutrient deficiencies, in HIV/AIDS infected children, are common and associated with disease progression and increased mortality. There is no evidence to support specific recommendation for in-patient treatment of severely malnourished HIV/AID infected children. We analyzed the impact of daily oral multivitamin and mineral supplementation on nutritional status and on mortality rate, of severely malnourished HIV/AIDS infected infants, hospitalized in a feeding therapeutic center. Children were randomized at admission in one of the two treatment groups: WHO standard group or additional dose group. The trial has been approved by the national health research ethics committee. Case fatality rate was high in each group. There was no difference in mortality rate between WHO standard group (mortality rate = 16.9%) and “additional dose” group (mortality rate = 17.6%). Kaplan Meir survival curves did not differ between the two groups, (p Log Rank = 0.87). During the inpatient follow-up, the median weight gain (g/kg/d) was low in groups and did not differ between WHO standard group (8.88g/kg/d Min = 4.70, Max = 17.23) and “additional dose” group (10.50g/kg/d, Min = 3.29 Max = 17.81) (Wilcoxon test p-value = 0.10). From admission to discharge, anthropometric Z-scores means evolution did not differ between the two groups: WHZ (p = 0.74), WAZ (p = 0.79) and MUAC (p = 0.73). In this randomized trial among severely malnourished HIV/AIDS infected children, we found no evidence that the provision of daily additional micro-nutrient dose during inpatient treatment, compared to WHO standard, improves nutritional status or reduces case fatality rate. Rigorous malnutrition inpatient treatments, including effective HIV/AIDS management, improve nutritional status of severely mal-nourished HIV infected children.

Impact of Anemia on Mortality and Nutritional Recovery among Hospitalized Severely Malnourished Children in Burkina Faso

This study aimed to analyze the impact of anemia on mortality rate and nutritional recovery, during severely malnourished inpatient treatment. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from data of severely malnourished children hospitalized at a feeding the rapeutic center. Pearson’s Chi square test, General linear model, Mortality relatives risks, Kaplan-Meir survival curves have been used. Results: At admission, 85.3% of included malnourished children had anemia (Hb ≤ 11 g/dl) and 10.6% severe anemic (Hb 6 g/dl). Mortality rate did not differed significantly from severely malnourished children with anemia (12.4%) and without anemia (22.2%), p = 0.12. Kaplan Meir survival curves did not differed significantly between the two groups, (p Log Rank = 0.11). From admission to discharge, anthropometric Z-scores means evolution did not differed significantly between severely malnourished children with and without anemia at admission. But anthropometric Z-scores means evolution differed significantly within each group’s subjects: WHZ (between groups: p = 0.74;within subjects: p 0.001), and WAZ (between groups: p = 0.54;within subjects: p 0.001). Conclusion: With a strong respect of current recommendation of anemia treatment of inpatient severely malnutrition management, there is no increased mortality rate in SAM anemic group;and nutritional recovery is significant within subjects of SAM anemic and non anemic children, without difference between groups.

Mother’s Nutritional Knowledge and Practice towards Children under Two Years of Age and Its Impact on Their Health in Abuzaid Albuluk Pediatric Specialized Hospital in 2023

Background: Nutritional knowledge and practise is an important measure to improve dietary habits and food choices. The daily food should contain balanced nutrition as needed to support optimal growth, avoid deficiency diseases and prevent the diseases which might interfere with the children health. Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional non-interventional hospital-based study was carried out among 122 mothers and 122 children by using a non-probability convenience sampling technique in the period of 15 March to 15 April 2023, and using interviews with structural questionnaires, the data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: We found that most of the children had moderate health, while most of the mothers had moderate nutritional knowledge and practise towards their children, also we found that the relationship between mothers’ knowledge and practise and child health was significant (P Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge and practise among children was moderate and children had moderate health. Wrong beliefs and cultural taboos play major roles in decreasing knowledge and practise.

Nutritional Status and Virological Outcomes of Children HIV Positive Attending Anti-Retroviral Clinic at University College Hospital, Ibadan

Malnutrition has been reported as a major factor contributing to the poor outcome of effective ART in HIV infection. This study aimed to describe the relationship between the nutritional status and virological outcome of the children attending the antiretroviral clinic at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria. Among the 159 (55.3% males and 44.7% females) children studied, almost half (42.8%) were orphans and the majority 56.6% were aged 120 - 180 months old. More than half (74.2%) had achieved viral suppression and significant associations were observed between viral load and stunting as well as between CD4 count and the age of the children (P < 0.05). The prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight was 27.7%, 9.4%, and 13.6% respectively. These indices reinforce the need for nutrition education and the provision of food supplements to improve the nutritional status of children infected with HIV.