Socio-Economic and Cultural Determinants of Malnutrition in Children Aged 6-59 Months in the Commune of Beoumi (Cote D'ivoire)

Malnutrition is a significant contributor to infant mortality and morbidity. It is the consequence of an imbalanced diet, encompassing both inadequate quantity and poor quality of nourishment. Malnutrition represents a substantial public health concern on a global scale, particularly in developing countries. The objective of this study is to ascertain the socio-economic and cultural factors associated with malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months residing in Kongounoussou, within the commune of Béoumi. The initial step is to ascertain the prevalence of malnutrition based on anthropometric indices, specifically weight, height, and age. Secondly, the objective is to establish a link between socio-economic and cultural variables and the types of malnutrition. The results demonstrated that among a cohort of 258 children aged 6 to 59 months, the prevalence of acute malnutrition was 8.1%, chronic malnutrition was 15.5%, and underweight was 10.1%. A cross-analysis revealed that housing type, level of education, and mother's religion were variables significantly associated with the three types of malnutrition under investigation. Nationality was linked to wasting and stunting, while daily food budget had an influence on stunting. The results of this study demonstrate that stunting is the most widespread type of malnutrition among children in the locality studied. Furthermore, several socio-economic and cultural parameters were identified as risk factors for malnutrition in all its forms.