Abstract:

The prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) of under-five children, in south Sudan is reportedly high and is being aggravated by various negatives factors. The situation has attracted the attention of various international organizations like World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and other International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs), for possible interventions. However, there are scarce study reports on the current prevalence pattern of SAM and MAM among under-five children, as it may assist in the implementation of nutrition therapy programme implemented by these humanitarian organizations.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted by collecting thirty six (36) month reported data of SAM and MAM of under-five children, from District Health Information Software (DHIS)-the standard source of health information in south Sudan, across three years; 2014, 2015 and 2016 for three counties, and was analysed using SPSS. Findings revealed statistical significant differences in SAM and MAM within each county and among the three counties across the three years. The results further revealed that there was rising median values of SAM and MAM among the counties across the three years. It was suggested that adequate pre-intervention survey should be conducted, reducing local government’s sentiments and infiltration during screening exercise for malnutrition among under-five children, ensuring peace in south Sudan, and conduct of post-intervention surveys for feed-backs, may serve as a clue towards implementing an effective and efficient nutrition therapy programme in the war-torn Lakes State of south Sudan.

Keywords: Prevalence pattern, Malnutrition, SAM, MAM.

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