Browsing by Author "Aklilu, Mekdes"

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    Factors Associated With Length of Infants in Selected Governmental Health Centers in Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababa University, 2017-06) Aklilu, Mekdes; Baye, Kaleab (PhD)
    Background: Measurement of length at birth, or in the neonatal period, is challenging and not validated. But linear growth retardation often begins inutero, and continues through the first 1,000 days of life. Objectives: To determine length at birth and identify associated factors among live borne babies at selected health facility in Bole and Kirkos sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2017. Methods: A facility-based prospective cohort study was conducted in four health centers in Addis Ababa from January to April, 2017. A total of 204 pregnant women who were at their third trimester (≥32 weeks of gestation) and their new born babies were included in the study. A pre-tested, structured, interviewer administered questionnaire consisting of Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) was used. Mothers’ anthropometric measurement, and infants’ supine birth length was measured. Length-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) were calculated and were compared with the WHO growth standard. Results: From 185 children that completed the study, 13.5% of new born babies were stunted (HAZ< -2SD). Maternal MUAC (AOR=.039; 95%CI.008-.198), maternal weight gain during pregnancy (AOR= .233; 95% CI .058-.944), birth weight (AOR= .132; 95%CI .026-.656) and sex of the infants (AOR= .152; 95%CI .035-.656) were significantly associated with HAZ <-2 Z-score (p < 0.05). Conclusion and recommendation: linear growth failure in this setting begins in utero, suggesting that stunting prevention that starts during or even before pregnancy is required.