Acceptability of Plumpy’nut (A Peanut-Based Ready- To- Use Therapeutic Food) Among Malnourished Children in Selected Rehabilitation Centres in Accra Metropolis
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Date
2018-07
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: The efficacy of Plumpy’nuts (PPN) has been technically and medically
documented as an appropriate product for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in
children. SAM is a chief killer of children < 5 years, responsible for 1 million deaths yearly.
Children with SAM risk dying 9 times more than non-SAM children.
Aim: To evaluate the acceptability of PPN, “a ready-to-use therapeutic food” among
malnourished children in selected rehabilitation centers in the Accra Metropolis.
Method: A cross-sectional study based on 100 subjects (child-caregiver pair) with the children
6-59 months of age, were chosen using total enumeration. Semi-structured questionnaire was
employed to gather data on caregiver and child acceptability of PPN. Anthropometric
measurements (weight, length and MUAC) of children were assessed. Associations between
acceptability and PPN’s organoleptic properties and socio-demographic variables were analyzed.
Results: Key findings showed PPN acceptability of 75% to 92% by caregivers towards the
various organoleptic properties and 93% tolerability by children. The mean age of the children
was 13 months. The mean MUAC, weight and height of the children after intake of plumpy’nut
was 11.75±0.86, 6.65±1.11 and 69.46±5.92 respectively representing a significant improvement
from 11.02±0.62, 5.86±1.11 and 67.89±5.94 respectively before plumpy’nut intervention. The
association between the children’s PPN acceptability and the children’s current nutritional status
was woefully insignificant (p-value > 0.05). There were no significant associations between
acceptability and any socio-demographic variables assessed (p-value > 0.05).
Conclusion: There was high acceptability of plumpy’nuts which is associated with its
organoleptic properties as well as its beneficial effect on nutritional status. The educational status
of the caregivers as well as the health education/information provided by health workers
pertaining to plumpy’nut could also account for its acceptability. Appropriate health education
coupled with quality standards of manufactured plumy’nuts is paramount to its acceptability.
Description
MSc.
Keywords
Plumpy’nut, Rehabilitation Centres, Therapeutic Food, Accra Metropolis