Mandefro Asfaw
Borena Zone Health Department, Ethiopia
Title: Prevalence of under nutrition and associated factors among children Aged between 6-59 months in Bule Hora district, South Ethiopia.
Biography
Biography: Mandefro Asfaw
Abstract
Malnutrition among children is a major public health problem in developing countries including Ethiopia. More than half of deaths during the first five years of life are attributed to under nutrition. To alleviate this problem, it is necessary to determine the nature, magnitude and determinants of undernutrition. Therefore, this study attempted to assess magnitude and factors associated with undernutrition in children 6-59 months of age in agro pastoral community of Bule Hora District, South Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional study design was used to assess the magnitude and factors associated with undernutrition in children between 6-59 months. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 796 children of age 6-59 months. Anthropometric measurements and determinant factors were collected. WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 and SPSS version 16.0 statistical software were used for analysis. Degree of association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using OR and 95% CI. Among study participants, 47.6%, 29.2% and 13.4 % of them were stunted, underweight, and wasted respectively. Presence of diarrhea, male sex, uneducated fathers and > 4 children ever born to a mother were significantly associated with underweight. Presence of diarrhea, male sex, pre–lacteal feeding and not using family planning methods by mother were significantly associated with stunting. Similarly, presence of diarrhea, age at which additional food was given and not using family planning methods of mother were predictors of wasting. Under nutrition is very common in under-five children of Bule Hora district. Morbidity like diarrhea was determinants of all form of Protein energy malnutrition. Family planning utilization of status was one determent factor of stunting and underweight. Feeding practices were also related to undernutrition. Thus intervention and prevention strategies of macronutrient undernutrition should focus on these important determinants.