Nutritional Assessment Based on Mid-upper Arm Circumference Measurement in Children Aged 6-59 Months in Seven Health Districts of the Far North Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Aims: Wasting is defined as a weight-for-height ratio more than two standard deviations below the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standards. Addressing wasting is crucial because of the increased risk of illness and death in children who lose too much weight. As part of nutritional surveillance, a mass screening campaign was organized in seven Health Districts of the Far North Region. The 2013 ASPEN special report recommended measurement of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) to aid in the identification of malnutrition in children. Study Design:  Exhaustive screening of children 6-59 aged months for all the seven health districts. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: All households in the health areas of the seven health districts were included, between 02 October and 08 October 2025. Methodology: This screening consisted of measuring the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of all children aged 6 to 59 months using a tape measure in their households. The main data collected and analyzed were sex, age, edema, and MUAC. Data collection was performed using Kobo Collect, and analysis was carried out using the MUAC Assessment Template tool and ENA for SMART software (January 2020 version). Individual MUAC measurements of the children were compared to international reference values ​​(WHO Standards, 2006). Results: The total number of children screened is 175,162 for the seven health districts. According to the results obtained, the prevalence of acute malnutrition varies from one Health District to another. The highest prevalence’s of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) were observed in the Health Districts of Kolofata, Goulfey, and Mora, at 4.3%; weighted prevalence rates were 3.9% and 3.0%. Edema cases are highest in Mora health district, 608 children, representing 1.8% of children screened. However, cases of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) were more frequently observed in the health districts of Mora, Goulfey, and Mozogo (27.6%, 27.3%, and 28.2%, respectively). The most affected age group was children less than two years old but children over two years old were also affected by malnutrition. Conclusion: It is crucial to strengthen interventions that increase access to treatment, improve the quality of care for acute malnutrition by enhancing services, and other support mechanisms such as cash transfers promoting adequate and diversified diets, and the ongoing promotion of optimal infant and young child feeding practices and behaviors, should remain essential interventions.