CORRELATES OF MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 2 YEARS OF AGE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL IN YAOUNDE, CAMEROON

A survey of health status, biodemographics, and use of health care ser vices of all children under 2 years of age, consecutively admitted to the Baudeloque ward of the Central Hospital of Yaounde, Cameroon, was conducted over a 12-month period (1984). During the admission procedur e, each child's mother or surrogate mother was interviewed and the chi ld was weighed according to study protocol; additional data were colle cted by review of hospital records. A total of 669 children were recru ited into the study sample; there were no refusals. Nutritional status was estimated by categories based on weight for age. Overall, 43 per cent of the sample were of normal weight-for-age, and 6 per cent, 19 p er cent, and 32 per cent were categorized as having severe, moderate, and mild malnutrition, respectively. Multinomial logit modelling was u sed to identify independent correlates of mild, moderate, and severe P EM simultaneously. The study findings underscore the broad health bene fits of immunizations. Furthermore, any prior contact of mother or chi ld with the health care system appears to be associated with better nu tritional status on hospital admission. Children with mothers employed outside the home may benefit particularly from health services outrea ch programmes.