Prevalence and Associated Factors of Stunting among 6-59 Months Children in Pastoral Community of Korahay Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia 2016

Sisay Shine, Frew Tadesse, Zemenu Shiferaw, Lema Mideksa, Wubarege Seifu
2017 Journal of Nutritional Disorders & Therapy  
Ethiopia is among the nations with highest under-five mortality rate in the world and at least 57% of children mortality attributed by malnutrition. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of underweight among 6-59 months year's old children in the pastoral community of Korahay Zone, Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was used among 624 children paired with their mothers. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study
more » ... articipants. Data was collected by using a structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the level of significance. Results: The study indicated that prevalence of underweight among children 6-59 months' years old was 48.7%. Children being male (AOR: 2.0; 95%CI 1.3, 3.0), not attending antenatal care by the mother (AOR: 6.2; 95%CI 1.4, 28.1), preceding birth interval of children less than 24 months (AOR: 2.1; 95%CI 1.3, 3.2) and breast milk feeding for children less than 12 months (AOR: 2.0; 95%CI 1.3, 3.1) were significant predictors of underweight. Conclusions: This study indicated that half of the children from 6-59 months' years old were underweight. Not attending antenatal care visits by the mother and children who feed breast milk for 12 months and less were more underweight than their counterparts. Maternal education on the advantages of breastfeeding, birth interval and antenatal care visit to improve the nutritional status of children.
doi:10.4172/2161-0509.1000208 fatcat:4hpbc3o2x5fgrga3j6pzm6rwvq