The need for adult therapeutic care in emergency feeding programs: lessons from Somalia
Article Abstract:
The care of malnourished adults is often ignored by international relief efforts which tend to concentrate on children. Malnourished adults have different dietary and therapeutic needs than malnourished children. International relief efforts in Somalia began in Jun 1992 and concentrated on feeding children. Community kitchens were opened to feed adults, but those who were severely malnourished were often unable to obtain food because they were too weak to stand in line. In Oct 1992, the Bardalli Adult Therapeutic Center was opened with room for 140 severely malnourished adolescents and adults and 140 of their relatives. None of the initial 650 patients would have survived on the daily meal of rice and beans provided by the community kitchens. The adult patients received antibiotics, oral rehydration and a therapeutic diet. The average length of stay was 25 days. Some aid resources should be directed toward the care of adolescents and adults to avoid leaving children without parents or relatives and to avoid leaving a country without those who provide the food.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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Using middle upper arm circumference to assess severe adult malnutrition during famine
Article Abstract:
Measuring the middle upper arm circumference (MUAC) may be a good substitute for measuring body mass index (BMI) in people who are severely malnourished. BMI measurements can only be done on people who are standing, while MUAC can be done on those who are sitting or lying. Measuring MUAC and BMI on 98 adults at a feeding center in south Sudan revealed that MUAC measurements agreed very strongly with BMI measurements. It remains to be seen what cutoff point will indicate which patients require nutritional support, but 18.5 centimeters is a likely value.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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Short-term Prognosis in Severe Adult and Adolescent Malnutrition During Famine: Use of a Simple Prognostic Model Based on Counting Clinical Signs
Article Abstract:
Among malnoourished patients, severe swelling, dehydration, and inability to stand were independent predictors of death. This was the conclusion of researchers who analyzed death rates among 383 adult and teenage patients admitted to the Concern Worldwide Adult Therapeutic Center in Baidoa, Somalia.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2000
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