Assessment of gender Differential in Magnitude and risk factors of Childhood Malnutrition in Menz Keya District North Shewa zone Amhara Regional State Ethiopia
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background- Malnutrition remains one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among
children throughout the world. The nutritional status of infants and children under five years of age is of
particular concern since the early years of life are crucial for optimal growth and development
malnutrition has been responsible, directly or indirectly, for 60% of the 10.9 million deaths annually
among children under five. Malnutrition is an underlying factor in over half of under-five child death in
Ethiopia, and children with severe acute malnutrition face 30-50 percent chance of dying unless treated.
Objective- to assess gender differential in the risk factors and magnitude of malnutrition among children
of age 0-59 months in Menz Keya district North Shewa zone Amhara Regional state, Ethiopia.
Methods- the study design was community based comparative cross-sectional quantitative study and
supplemented qualitative (FGD) methods. A total of 746 children were selected using cluster sampling
technique. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaire and including anthropometric
measurements. The study variables include; socio-economic and demographic characteristics, child and
maternal related variables and environmental health conditions. Data were entered and processed using
EPi-info and SPSS for analysis. The NCHS reference population standard of WHO was utilized to
convert height and weight measurements into Z-scores of the H/A, W/H and W/A indices considering
age and sex of the children.
Results-Stunting was found to be significantly higher in female children (36.7compared to 25.7%)
among male children both in urban and rural areas. Among male children, age group of 6-11 and 48-59
months were found to be more affected by stunting.
It was found that multiple determinant factors among operating at individual (mother age, education of
the mother, immunization status, and weaning time) and house hold levels (household income, family
size) are significant predictors of stunting.
Wasting was found to be statistical significantly higher in male children than female children (14.7%) in
urban and rural areas. children in the age group 48-59 months were more affected in both male and
female.
Education of the mother, household income, family size, immunization status and waste disposal area
were found to be the important determinant factors for wasting.
Underweight was slightly higher male children compared to female children (22% vs 20.1%).
Educational status of the mother, duration of breast feeding, immunization status family size, household
income, and domestic waste disposal areas were determinant factors for underweight.
Conclusions and recommendations- The finding of this study showed that the prevalence of stunting
was higher in female children in both urban and rural areas compared to male. Whereas wasting and
underweight were more common in male children than female children regardless of their place of
residence. Educational status of the mother and family monthly income were important determinant
factors for chronic malnutrition for both male and female children. Empowering women to improve their
education and income generation potential is recommended.
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Assessment of gender Differential in Magnitude and risk