Nutritional Assessment of Preschool Children in Sinai Governorates

Subjects: This study was carried out during November and December 2005 to the non-urban areas related to five main cities in Sinai. Clusters of house-holds were selected among which 517 children 2-5 years were included. Objectives: To identify and estimate the magnitude of health and nutritional problems. The study comes as a first step to the lovely gained Egyptian land Sinai after the year 1982. The basic data are needed to the policy maker to implement health and nutrition strategies accordingly. Results: The study reported that Bedouins preschoolers living in Sinai are facing many health and nutritional problems. The overall prevalence of stunting was 39.5% with more or less the same prevalence among north and south governorates. This figure reflects malnutrition over a long period. The overall prevalence of underweight was (38.5%) with more or less the same percentage among north and south governorates. This figure denotes a consequence of inadequate food and/orillnesses lasting for a relatively long period. The overall prevalence of wasting was less frequent as 18.8% with more or less the same percentage among north and south governorates. Night blindness prevalence was 0.8% while that of Bitot spots was 2.9%. Prevalence of vitamin A disorder VADD washigher significantly in North governorate compared to south.First degree goiter was prevalent among 5% and second degree among 0.2% North Sinai shows significantly more affection. The over all prevalence of anemia in Sinai governorate was 59.3%. North Sinai showed significantly more prevalence of anemia compared to south Sinai (p=0.009). The morbidity of the Bedouins children during the last month of the survey was assessed. Gastroenteritis as a preschool morbid was prevalent among 21.9% of children. Respiratory infection whether upper or lower was prevalent among 39.1% of children. Fever as a symptom of infection whether gastroenteritis, respiratory, or other was prevalent among 37.7%. Measles at a certain time period previous to the study was prevalent among 1.4%. This high prevalence of morbidity affect the health and nutritional status of the young children and predispose to severe malnutrition. Conclusions: Our results revealed that the Bedouins children are facing severe malnutrition status. Urgent interventions to improve their nutritional and health status is mandatory.