Assessment of Nutritional Status and Its Determinants Among Under-five Children in Butajira, South Ethiopia
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Date
1995-05
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Malnutrition, in particular child malnutrition is a
serious problem in the developing world. However its
magnitude and fact ors are seldom well defined. Hence, a
cross-sect i ona l study with internal comparisons was
conducted in Meskan ena Mareko Woreda, Butajira, between
October 1994 and January 1995. The study aimed at
assessing nutritional status and its determinants among
under-five children. The study population was i dentified
from under - fives of of 10 villages sampled PPS . Data on
variables of child, care-taker and household
characteristi cs; child morbidity and care were gathered
through an interview . Anthropometric measurments were
used to determine child's weight, height and MUAC.
Results showed that 25.1% were underweight, 43.3%
stunted and 4.0% wasted. Children < 6 months old were
least affected with underweight and stunting . Those 12-23
and 24-59 months old were affected most with underweight
and stunting, respectively. Age , birth order, spacing and
breast feeding were significantl y associated with
nutritional status. Similarl y , altitude, income, food
sufficiency were strongl y associated to nutritional
status ( OR:1.41 , 95% CI:1.18 - 1.67, OR:0.63, 95% CI : 0.53-
0.75, OR : 2.45, 95% CI:2.04-2.94, respectively). Also
education of mothers' and fathers', were significantly
associ ated with nutritional status. Child illnesses, were
strongly (OR :4. 38, 95% CI :3 . 71-5 .1 6) , while type of care
during illness were weakly associated.
From the study i t is concluded that malnutrition is
highly prevalent and infections, poverty and lack of
I
formal education are at t he roots of ·it. Improvement of
socioeconomic factors, in particular f ood availability
and knowledge
child heal th
are necessary,. With these , integration of
services with other s ectors of socioeconomic
development is also indispensable
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Keywords
Assessment of Nutritional Status