Complementary Feeding Wash Practice and Nutritional Status of Children 6-23 Months the Case of Rural Villages in South Wollo
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Date
2021-12-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: In addition to the dietary practice, access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene
(WASH) facilities contribute to child growth failure. However, the combined role of dietary practice and
access to WASH on child growth outcomes is remains to be studied in rural Ethiopia. The aim of this
study was to assess the effect of complementary feeding and WASH practice towards child nutrition
outcomes.
Methods: A community-based Cross-section study design was employed among rural households
(n=464) having children 6-23months in south Wollo in Apirl 2021, using a multistage sampling
technique. Dietary assessment, anthropometric and biochemical (hemoglobin) measurements were done.
WASH components were partly assessed through observation. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test,
bivariate and multiple logistic regression using SPSS.
Result: Children meeting the minimum dietary diversity was 25%. Proportion of household having
access to improved water source (56.3%), improved sanitation (16.6%) and hygiene (54.88). Only 6%
of households satisfy for all the three combined WASH components. Regarding nutrition status of
children, stunting is more prevalent (44.2%), wasting (5.9%), underweight (14.7%) and anemia (63%).
Non-breast children, mother height, fever. Diarrhea was associated with all components of WASH.
Having a mother with formal education was an advantage to meet MDD. Being in early age group of 6-
11 months (AOR=2.33, 95% CI 1.49-3.57), having diarrhea episodes (AOR=1.59, 1.02-2.47) and
exposing to the unimproved water source (AOR=1.57, 1.05-2.33) were associated with anemia. Factors
associated with stunting: non-breast feeding (AOR= 2.6, 95% CI 1.08-6.3), increasing child age 12-
23months (AOR= 1.56, 95% CI 1.05-2.31) and maternal height <150cm.
Conclusion: Only quarter of children meet the minimum required dietary diversity. Significant
proportion of children are anemic and stunted. Above average the households do not have access to
improved water source and hygiene practice. Therefore, in addition to diet-based interventions, the
complementary role of WASH through reducing common childhood illness could have significant
contribution to the improvements in child nutrition outcomes.
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Keywords
Dietary Diversity, Stunting, Anemia, Water, Snitation, Hygiene, WASH, Rural, Ethiopia