Lactose intolerance: Magnitude and Associated factors among malnourished under-five Children in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Lactose intolerance (LI) is a pathological condition characterized by the inability to digest sugar, lactose, due to the absence or insufficient activity of the lactase enzyme (β galactosidase). Currently, laboratory diagnostic procedures for LI are poorly practiced in Ethiopia, and so LI treatment is based on an empirical diagnosis. Thus, the objective of the study was to determine the magnitude and associated factors of lactose intolerance among malnourished under five children in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March 2018 – July 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among malnourished under-five children admitted in the pediatric unit, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia. By using a convenient sampling technique structured questionnaire was administered to gather information on the socio-demographic characteristics of study participants and associated risk factors of LI. Moreover, a fresh stool sample was collected from the study participants to measure stool pH, reducing substances, and microscopy examination for intestinal parasites. Data entery and analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21) software.