Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Volume 34, Issue 2, 1980, Pages 83-86

Nutritional status of Laotian refugee children in Ubon camp, Thailand (Article) (Open Access)

O'Sullivan G. , Ebrahim S. , O'Sullivan J. , Tafts C.
  • a 7 Broxtowe St, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 2JT, United Kingdom
  • b 7 Broxtowe St, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 2JT, United Kingdom
  • c 7 Broxtowe St, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 2JT, United Kingdom
  • d 7 Broxtowe St, Sherwood, Nottingham NG5 2JT, United Kingdom

Abstract

A survey carried out in May 1979 of the nutritional status of 2152 children aged 1-5 living in Ubon Refugee Camp, Thailand, showed that 165 (7.5%) probably suffered from malnutrition, using arm circumference as an index. This index was validated by comparisons with weight for age and with morbidity in 'malnourished' and normal groups. Arm circumference appeared to be a valid index of nutritional status and a useful screening test with a false positive ratio of about 1 : 5. It was then applied to children attending feeding centres within the camp, and it was thus possible to show that the centres were not attended by as many malnourished children as expected. A feeding centre in a highly impoverished area of the camp was shown to be more likely to have a higher percentage of malnourished children attending.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

preschool child Infant limb circumference refugee methodology nutritional status diagnosis school child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0018871172&doi=10.1136%2fjech.34.2.83&partnerID=40&md5=8df26598b46161b6748d62ef0a5f0117
DOI: 10.1136/jech.34.2.83
ISSN: 0143005X
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English