Determinants of Acute Malnutrition among under-five children in Public Health Facilities of Soddo town, Southern Ethiopia:unmatched case control study
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Date
2021-05
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Acute malnutrition is a major public health challenge among children globally
and particularly the burden is high in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Different reports and
literatures revealed different risk factors of acute malnutrition in different geographical area.
Moreover, to the extent of the investigator's knowledge, there is no similar study to identify
factors associated with acute malnutrition in the study area. Objective: The main aim of this
study was to identify determinants of acute malnutrition among under-five children in
governmental health facilities of Soddo town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based
unmatched case-control study was conducted among 399 participants (133 cases and 266
controls). Data were collected from February 14 to March 14, 2021 Interviewer administered a
structured questionnaire was used to collect data and standardized anthropocentric
measurement equipment’s were used to identify cases and controls. Data were analyzed using
SPSS version 26. A logistic regression model was fitted and used to identify the determinants
of acute malnutrition and statistical significance was declared at P<0.05. Result: A total of
133 cases and 266 controls were included in the study. Mothers with no formal education
[AOR 2.96(1.02, 8.56)], Birth interval less than 24 months [AOR2.71(1.54,4.76)], Marital
status of mothers[AOR4.45(1.72,11.51)], diarrhea in the past two weeks [AOR
9.15(2.83,29.53)], using non-protected water for drinking [AOR3.45(2.00,5.93)], duration of
exclusive breastfeeding less than 6 months [AOR4.65(2.21,9.78)], not taking sick children to
health facility within 24 hours of the onset of any sickness[AOR 5.10(2.94,8.86)], low birth
weight [AOR 3.56(1.15,10.99)], breast feeding for less than 24 months[AOR
10.26(4.57,22.99)],using non-improved toilet[AOR 5.09(2.40,10.79)], low dietary diversity
[AOR 2.05(1.05,4.00)] and food insecurity [AOR 3.83(1.80,8.14)] were significantly
associated with acute malnutrition. Conclusion and Recommendation: This study identified
various determinants and provided clues on the major determinants of acute malnutrition
among under-five children in the study area. non-optimum birth spacing, exposure to diarrhea,
lack of safe water supply, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, dietary diversity and food
insecurity were among the commonest contributing factors oof acute malnutrition Thus,
ensuring safe water supply, empowering women and increasing knowledge and practices of
mothers regarding exclusive breast feeding and family planning is recommended.
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Keywords
Acute malnutrition, Determinants, Case-control, Children, Wolita Soddo