NUTRITIONAL-STATUS OF GUATEMALAN REFUGEES UNDER 6 YEARS

Objective. To determine changes in the nutritional status of Guatemala n refugee children under six years of age, who lived in Mexico between 1982 and 1996, under various nutrition-related programs implemented d uring that period. Material and methods. A comparative analysis of 4 c ross-sectional anthropometric studies performed in Chiapas (1982, 1989 ), Quintana Roo (1989) and Campeche and Quintana Roo in 1996. Malnutri tion prevalence by weight! age and height/age indicators was calculate d. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. The impleme nted programs to improve nutritional status and health conditions are described. Results. In 1982, high rates of malnutrition and mortality prevailed among refugee children. In 1989 some had been transferred to Campeche and Quintana Roo and others stayed in Chiapas. Their situati on had improved and remained so until 1996. Conclusions. The implement ed programs were successful to control the emergency and prevent new c rises. However they only managed to maintain similar conditions for th e refugees as those which prevail among the Mexican indians.