Nutritional Status of Schoolchildren in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Author Information
Author(s): Daboné Charles, Delisle Hélène F, Receveur Olivier
Primary Institution: TRANSNUT- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal
Hypothesis
Undernutrition and micronutrient malnutrition would be widespread, particularly among public school pupils in peri-urban areas.
Conclusion
Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent among schoolchildren in urban areas, highlighting the need for targeted nutrition interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- 38.7% of children had low serum retinol.
- 40.4% of children were anaemic.
- 8.8% of children were stunted.
- 13.7% of children were thin.
- Overweight/obesity was low at 2.3%.
Takeaway
Many schoolchildren in Ouagadougou are not getting enough nutrients, which can make them sick and affect their learning.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 public and private schools, assessing nutritional status through anthropometric and haemoglobin measurements.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the non-random selection of schools and reliance on parental consent.
Limitations
The study's non-random selection of schools limits the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 649 schoolchildren aged 7-14 years, with 48% boys and 52% girls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.001 for anaemia; p < 0.001 for vitamin A deficiency
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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