Effect of Family Muac Utilization in Identifying Severity of Acute Malnutrition at Admission to Nutrition Programs Among Children Aged 6–59 Months Ethiopia

Bibliographic Data

ID15536350
AuthorsMeron Tamirat (0009-0001-2721-045X, Addis Ababa University), Alinoor Mohamed Farah (0000-0001-8557-7084, Jigjiga University), Gudina Egata (0000-0001-6541-0383, Addis Ababa University), Aweke Kebede (0000-0003-4288-5946, International Trachoma Initiative), Samson Gebremedhin (0000-0002-7838-2470, Addis Ababa University), Seifu H Gebreyesus (0000-0001-7834-4696, Addis Ababa University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume21
Issue4
Pagese70054-e70054
Publication date2025-05-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.70054
PMID40442927
OpenAlexW4410906656
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited11

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) screening is a simple community-level method for detecting acute malnutrition. The Family MUAC approach, which trains caregivers to measure their children's MUAC and refer them for treatment, has shown promise, but evidence regarding its impact on malnutrition severity at admission is limited. To address this gap, we conducted a longitudinal study from March to May 2024 in two districts in Eastern Ethiopia, enrolling 360 children aged 6-59 months. We compared children referred by their mothers or caregivers using the Family MUAC (n = 180) with those referred by Health Extension Workers (HEWs) (n = 180). We found that the median MUAC at admission was 119 mm (IQR 116-120) in the mother-referral group versus 116 mm (IQR 115-119) in the HEWs-referral group, and the proportion of severe acute malnutrition (MUAC < 115 mm) was lower among caregiver-referred children (4.2% vs. 18.4%). Multivariable regression analysis showed that mother/caregiver-referred children had an 80.5% lower risk of severe MUAC at admission [ARR 0.195(0.06, 0.59)] and a 75% reduced likelihood of SAM admission compared to the HEWs-Referral group (ARR 0.25; 95% CI, 0.148-0.448). The Family MUAC approach significantly reduced the severity of malnutrition at admission. Consequently, this strategy should be expanded and prioritized in national screening programs

Family medicine · Malnutrition · Referral · Severe Acute Malnutrition · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics