Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN MILITARY FAMILIES IN THE POLICE BARRACKS AL-HAJ YOUSIF AND ABU SAAD IN KHARTOUM STATE AUGUST (2018) FEBRUARY (2019)

*Yaseen Abdallah Ahmed Ibrahim, Dr. Zaineb Osman Mohammed Onsa, Dr. Suzan Ali Yousif Abo and Dr. Sitana E Abdelrahman

ABSTRACT

Malnutrition is condition that develops when the body doesn’t get the right amount of the macro and micro nutrients needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status among Preschool children in Military families in the police barracks al-Haj yousif and Abu saad in Khartoum state. The study was carried out in the police barracks al- Haj yousif and Abu saad in Khartoum state. The total numbers of the study population (105) children were selected randomly. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The study was conducted during the period from august (2018) to February (2019). Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).The majority of Children (73.3%) were in the age group (49- 60 months) and found that females more than males. The highest percentage of mothers (40.0%) had university level of education and the highest percentage of Fathers (43.8%) has Intermediate level of education. The majority of mothers (74.3%) were housewife and the majority of fathers (60.0%) were Soldiers. The nutritional awareness of the mother shows that (75.2%) have medium nutritional awareness. The income of (52.0%) of the family had low income level. (60.0%) of the children took three meals per day. the children in preschool with diarrhea, malaria and Respiratory tract infection in last year in the study area, was found to be (55.2%), (43.8), and (92.4%) respectively. the Prevalence of malnutrition Percentage According to BMI-for Age z- scores among children’s in the study area where (68.6%) are moderately malnourished(18.1%), of them are normal, (13.3%) are mild malnutrition and Complete absence of all symptoms of Kwashiorkor and Marasmus. The study recommends that more research is needed in this area, and the data obtained should be used to construct reference value of Sudanese children.

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