Under-nutrition and Associated Factors among Children aged 6 months to 24 months in Gida Ayana District, East Wollega, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is the major public health problem over the
world. Asian and Sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia,
contribute the highest of all. However, little evidences were documented on
nutritional status and associated factors among infants and young children
particularly in the study area.
Objective: To assess the under-nutrition and associated factors among
infants and young children aged 6-24 months.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 379
randomly selected children aged 6 to 24 month old living in Gida Ayana
District.
Data
was
collected
using
structured
questionnaire
and
anthropometric measurements were also taken. The data was entered in to
Epi-info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multivariable
analysis was carried out to see association between under nutrition and other
factors.
Results: This study revealed that, 35.9%, 24.8 % and 12.4 % of infants and
young children were stunted, underweight and wasted respectively. Started
complementary feeding after 6 months (AOR=2.072, 95%CI: 1.215, 3.536)
was significantly associated with stunting. Started complementary feeding after 6 months (AOR =2.426, 95%CI: 1.077, 5.463), family monthly income
<=2000 birr (AOR=3.151, 95%CI: 1.691, 5.873), age group 12-24 months
(AOR= 7.549, 95%CI: 3.84614.815), cough two weeks before this survey
(AOR=2.571, 95% CI: 1.129-5.857) were significantly associated with
wasting.
Conclusion: In this study, prevalence of under-nutrition in the study area
was high. Complementary feeding initiation time, family income, age of the
child, cough, Family size, immunization status, Vitamin A supplementation
and method of child feeding were predictors of child under-nutrition.