Aims: To assess the performance of out-patient acute malnutrition management in children under 5
years.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Northern Benin, health district of Djougou-Ouake-Copargo, from 1st
to 30th June, 2014.
Methodology: Fifteen functional out-patient malnutrition management centres (out the 27 existing)
were included in the study. Data on acute malnutrition management were collected in thirty skilled
health workers by using questionnaire and observation. Data were also collected in 296 children
who suffered from acute malnutrition through medical records, reference documents and
supervisions note books. The performance of out-patient acute malnutrition management was
assessed through three components “input/resources”, “process” and “results” using predetermined
score of two scales seeking for achievement of criterions according to WHO reference for the
evaluation of the performance of the health system.
Results: The performance of the out-patient management of acute malnutrition in the health district
was rated low.
Conclusion: The performance of out-patient management of acute malnutrition in the health district
was suboptimal. Adequate monitoring of malnourished treated child and a greater mobilization of
community volunteers in the active search of drop out patients are required to improve the
performance of out-patient management of acute malnutrition in health district of Djougou-CopargoOuaké
in Benin.