Pakistan: Acute Malnutrition Situation in Sindh April - November 2021 and December 2021 - February 2022
Inadequate food intake, poor sanitation coverage and high disease prevalence contribute to high acute malnutrition among children in Sindh
RELEASE DATE
14.10.2021
VALIDITY PERIOD
01.04.2021 > 28.02.2022
April - November 2021 
December 2021 - February 2022 
 
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Key
results


Population
estimates


Recommendations
& next steps


Acute
Malnutrition


How Severe, How Many and When: According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Acute Malnutrition (IPC AMN) analysis, of the nine districts analysed in Sindh, Pakistan, acute malnutrition is at a Critical level (IPC Phase 4) in eight districts and at a Serious level (IPC Phase 3) in one district. The situation is particularly severe in six of the eight districts classified in the Critical phase, whereby one in five children is affected by acute malnutrition. Conversely, the other two districts classified in the Critical phase register levels of acute malnutrition not too far above those classified in the Serious phase (IPC Phase 3).

Where: The eight districts classified as being in a Critical situation (IPC Phase 4) are Matiari, Tando Allah Yar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Sujawal, Umerkot, Qambar Shahdadkot and Shikarpur. Only Larkana district is in a Serious situation (IPC Phase 3), though the Global Acute Malnutrition level is 12.3%, which is close to IPC Phase 4 (Critical).

Why: The major factors contributing to acute malnutrition include inadequate quality and quantity of food, poor hygiene practices and sanitation coverage, high rates of diarrhoea, acute respiratory infection and fever, and low prevalence of health seeking behaviour. Additionally, low exclusive breastfeeding levels, high prevalence of early childbearing, high prevalence of low birth weight, and high prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women are also of concern in several districts. Although not the direct focus of this analysis, anaemia and vitamin A deficiency among children of 6-59 months is at an alarming level.


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