CHILD MALNUTRITION ASSOCIATED WITH SAFE FOOD PREPARATION BEHAVIORS OF MOTHER IN BENIN, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Authors: Chikako NAGAHORI , RN, PHN, PhD１,  Yoshihide KINJO, PhD１, VODOUNON A. Joseph, MD, PhD 2, ALAO Maroufou Jules , MD, PhD 2, PADONOU BATOSSI Geneviève, MD, MPH2, HOUNKPATIN Benjamin, MD, PhD 2, AMOULE HOUENASSI Eve, RMW,RD2 and Taro YAMAUCHI, PhD3

Institutions: 1Department of Nursing, Tsukuba International University, Tsuchiura, Japan, 2Department of Nursing , Okinawa Prefectural College of Nursing, Naha, Japan, 3Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Mère et de l'Enfant Lagune de Cotonou, Benin, 4Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan, 

Summary 
Objective
Malnutrition continues to contribute to a high under five mortality rate. 
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the nutritional status and factors associated with malnutrition in children aged under five years old who live in Cotonou, Republic of Benin and investigate the safe food preparation behaviors of their mothers.
Subjects and Methods
Mothers (n = 300) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Height (H), length (L), and weight (W) measurements of the child were determined along with Z-scores (Z) of WHO child growth standards. Children’s nutritional status data to be used for analysis was evaluated using corrected age in the case of premature infants born before gestational week 36 or children under age 1 (n=49).
Results
The prevalence of stunting (H/LAZ < −2 standard deviations [SD]) and underweight (WAZ < −2SD) were 11.0% and 14.7%, respectively. Results from the logistic regression analysis revealed that stunting was selected as significant with respect to 1-month increased child age and birth weight of 2.5kg or more. Underweight was also correlated significantly with birth weight of 2.5kg or more. As a remarkable point, food preservation in refrigerator was statistically significant. Food preservation in refrigerator can be regarded as one of safe food preparation behaviors.

Conclusions
We suggest that maternal safe food preparation behaviors can prevent child malnutrition.