Evaluation of the nutritional and hematological-parasitological profile of children aged 6-24 months seen in consultation at the Saint Gabriel Dispensary in Matoto, Republic of Guinea

Infant and young child nutrition is essential for their growth and development from birth until the age of 2 years or older. The objective was to contribute to improving the nutritional and hematoparasitological status of children aged 6 to 24 months during the introduction of solid foods. A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken at the Saint Gabriel Dispensary in Saint Gabriel to evaluate the nutritional and hematoparasitological profiles of children aged 6 to 24 months. Data were collected through questionnaires administered to mothers, followed by anthropometric measurements and hematoparasitological analyses. The data collection, centralization, and entry were analyzed using ENA software, November 2011 version, and the dietary practice data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22.0 and Excel 2013. In terms of sociodemographics, there was parity between the sexes (50% each), while 64% of the children were between 6 and 11 months old. 31% of the children came from the commune of Tombolia. The majority of the mothers were between 20 and 39 years old, with a secondary education. Most of them (48%) had a secondary education, while 30% were saleswomen or 22% were homemakers. The children received only cereals as a supplementary food in 99% of cases, which explains the lack of knowledge and practice of dietary diversification. 43% of the children suffered from severe acute malnutrition, and 44% from moderate acute malnutrition. This malnutrition affects girls more in terms of severe acute malnutrition (46%) and boys more in terms of moderate acute malnutrition (47%). Hematological analyses reveal a rate of moderate anemia in 76% of children with severe acute malnutrition, indicating deficiencies in essential micronutrients. Malaria affects 24% of children with severe acute malnutrition, which denotes the weakened immunity due to malnutrition, making these children more susceptible to contracting parasitic diseases and constituting an additional risk to their overall health. In summary, this research highlights acute malnutrition and poor dietary diversification practices. These findings call for improved dietary diversification practices and nutritional and educational support strategies for mothers to strengthen the health and development of young children.