Prevalence and Factors Associated With Malnutrition in Underfive Children Newly Diagnosed With Cancer at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania
Material type:
TextPublisher number: Wurzburg Road 35, BMC Premises, Post Code: 33102: P. O. Box 1464, Mwanza – Tanzania: Phone: +255 28 298 3384: Fax: +255 28 298 3386: Email: vc@bugando.ac.tz : www.bugando.ac.tzLanguage: English Language: Kiswahili Publication details: Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] : ©2023Description: 80 Pages; Includes References and AppendiciesSubject(s): Summary: Abstract:
Background: Available evidence suggests that malnutrition impairs response to cancer treatment and increases the risk of chemotherapy-induced toxicity, morbidity, and mortality in under five children diagnosed with cancer. To address this issue, the World Health Organization strongly recommends routine nutritional assessments and timely interventions throughout the cancer treatment trajectory.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among under five children newly diagnosed with cancer at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania
Methods: This retrospective descriptive and analytical Cross-sectional study was conducted from July – October 2022. Social demographic and nutrition assessment information of under five children newly diagnosed with cancer and enrolled under comprehensive cancer care at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania met the inclusion criteria were retrieved from their respective medical records, registry and other sources. Data were entered into a computer using Excel 2013, cleaned, validated and then transferred to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of eighty (61% males) under-five children with mean age of 36.4 months (Standard deviation = 16.8) were enrolled in this study. Majority of participants had siblings ranging between 4-7 (51.2%), with Christian (85%), primary educated (46.3%-father, and 42.5%-mother) and self-employed (63.7%- father, 80%- mother) parents. Children from Mwanza region (27.5%), diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (30%) followed with Nephroblastoma (22.5%) and Lymphoma (18.8%) was the largest group. Four out of five children with comorbidity had Human Immunodeficiency Virus (80%). The overall prevalence of malnutrition among children participated in this study was 65.0%. Among children diagnosed with malnutrition, more than 70% of them suffered from either mild/moderate underweight (34.6%), mild/moderately stunted (25%) or severe underweight (17%). Sex, father educational level, and residence (by region) were found to be independent factors associated with the prevalence of malnutrition in under five children.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study in Tanzania and demonstrates a high prevalence of malnutrition among under five children newly diagnosed with cancer at BMC. The sex of the patient, the father's education, and the place of residence are key factors to consider when delivering malnutrition interventions to high-risk population.
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Status | Barcode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POSTGRADUATE DISSERTATIONS | MWALIMU NYERERE LEARNING RESOURCES CENTRE-CUHAS BUGANDO | NFIC | 1 | CUHAS/MSc.PN/6000015 |
Abstract:
Background: Available evidence suggests that malnutrition impairs response to cancer treatment and increases the risk of chemotherapy-induced toxicity, morbidity, and mortality in under five children diagnosed with cancer. To address this issue, the World Health Organization strongly recommends routine nutritional assessments and timely interventions throughout the cancer treatment trajectory.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among under five children newly diagnosed with cancer at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania
Methods: This retrospective descriptive and analytical Cross-sectional study was conducted from July – October 2022. Social demographic and nutrition assessment information of under five children newly diagnosed with cancer and enrolled under comprehensive cancer care at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania met the inclusion criteria were retrieved from their respective medical records, registry and other sources. Data were entered into a computer using Excel 2013, cleaned, validated and then transferred to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of eighty (61% males) under-five children with mean age of 36.4 months (Standard deviation = 16.8) were enrolled in this study. Majority of participants had siblings ranging between 4-7 (51.2%), with Christian (85%), primary educated (46.3%-father, and 42.5%-mother) and self-employed (63.7%- father, 80%- mother) parents. Children from Mwanza region (27.5%), diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (30%) followed with Nephroblastoma (22.5%) and Lymphoma (18.8%) was the largest group. Four out of five children with comorbidity had Human Immunodeficiency Virus (80%). The overall prevalence of malnutrition among children participated in this study was 65.0%. Among children diagnosed with malnutrition, more than 70% of them suffered from either mild/moderate underweight (34.6%), mild/moderately stunted (25%) or severe underweight (17%). Sex, father educational level, and residence (by region) were found to be independent factors associated with the prevalence of malnutrition in under five children.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study in Tanzania and demonstrates a high prevalence of malnutrition among under five children newly diagnosed with cancer at BMC. The sex of the patient, the father's education, and the place of residence are key factors to consider when delivering malnutrition interventions to high-risk population.
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