Pediatric Health and Nutritional Status in Rural Southern Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Mobile Outreach Program
Abstract
Undernutrition and infectious disease remain major contributors to childhood morbidity and mortality in Malawi, disproportionately affecting orphaned and vulnerable children. Despite this recognized burden, available data describing the health status of vulnerable children in rural southern Malawi are limited. Understanding this challenge is the first step to create programs that can better support and protect these communities. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional status and common medical conditions identified during a multi-site pediatric outreach program. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted of de-identified data from a five-day mobile outreach program in rural Blantyre, Malawi in May 2025. Data from all children aged 0-18 years were included and none were excluded (N=1,846). Evaluations included height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) with age-adjusted Z-scores, point-of-care testing, and clinical examinations. Diagnoses were made by physicians or clinicians using physical examination supported by testing when available. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic, nutritional, and diagnostic findings. Comparisons of outreach sites and nutritional status were performed using chi-square or Fisher Exact tests. Undernutrition by age-adjusted MUAC Z scores was present at various levels in 70% of children (35% mild, 27% moderate, 8% severe) with significant variation across sites; moderate anemia was also common. Infectious diseases including respiratory infections, malaria, schistosomiasis, and unspecified febrile/sepsis presentations were common with variations by site. In summary, high rates of undernutrition and infectious diseases were observed among vulnerable children in rural southern Malawi, with substantial geographic variation in disease prevalence. These findings underscore the need for sustained nutritional and medical support programs. Further longitudinal evaluation of interventions targeting nutrition and childhood illness is needed and anticipated.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
61
Presentation Type
Poster
Student Type
Graduate and Professional Degree Students, Residents, Fellows
Faculty Mentor
Emily Flores
Pediatric Health and Nutritional Status in Rural Southern Malawi: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Mobile Outreach Program
Culp Ballroom 316
Undernutrition and infectious disease remain major contributors to childhood morbidity and mortality in Malawi, disproportionately affecting orphaned and vulnerable children. Despite this recognized burden, available data describing the health status of vulnerable children in rural southern Malawi are limited. Understanding this challenge is the first step to create programs that can better support and protect these communities. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional status and common medical conditions identified during a multi-site pediatric outreach program. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted of de-identified data from a five-day mobile outreach program in rural Blantyre, Malawi in May 2025. Data from all children aged 0-18 years were included and none were excluded (N=1,846). Evaluations included height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) with age-adjusted Z-scores, point-of-care testing, and clinical examinations. Diagnoses were made by physicians or clinicians using physical examination supported by testing when available. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic, nutritional, and diagnostic findings. Comparisons of outreach sites and nutritional status were performed using chi-square or Fisher Exact tests. Undernutrition by age-adjusted MUAC Z scores was present at various levels in 70% of children (35% mild, 27% moderate, 8% severe) with significant variation across sites; moderate anemia was also common. Infectious diseases including respiratory infections, malaria, schistosomiasis, and unspecified febrile/sepsis presentations were common with variations by site. In summary, high rates of undernutrition and infectious diseases were observed among vulnerable children in rural southern Malawi, with substantial geographic variation in disease prevalence. These findings underscore the need for sustained nutritional and medical support programs. Further longitudinal evaluation of interventions targeting nutrition and childhood illness is needed and anticipated.
