Exploring the Relationship Between Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Animal Keeping With Child Growth in Selected Kebeles of Amhara Region, Ethiopia
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Date
2018-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
v
6
ABSTRACT
Stunting is a chronic condition reflecting poor nutrition and health. Despite significant reductions
in stunting, it is still a major public health concern. Recently, it has been hypothesized that
exposure to livestock can be a risk factor for diarrhea and environmental enteric disorder /EED/
in young children, which may significantly contribute to under nutrition. Thus, this study aimed
to explore the relationship between Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and animal keeping with child
growth.
A cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected kebeles of Amhara region. Selected
households were interviewed. Household observations were conducted to check the presence of
animals in the compound and inside the house, as well as spot-check animal feces in the
compound. Anthropometric measurements were taken from 394 children aged 6-59 months.
Height-for-Age Z (HAZ) score was calculated and classified according to the WHO guideline.
The association between linear growth and animal keeping was analyzed using spearman
correlation that adjusted for covariates.
Dietary diversity was low and mainly consisted of starchy staples. Child‘s stunting was highly
prevalent (32%). HAZ was found to be negatively associated with the number of goats owned (p
< 0.05); whereas child underweight and wasting was associated with number of horses in the
household (p < 0.05). The distance between barn and the household was associated with child
underweight.
Interventions that promote livestock ownership and consumption of animal products are needed
in this setting, but this should be accompanied with improvements in animal handling to prevent
children‘s exposure to animal feces.
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Keywords
Stunting, Livestock, Feces, Goats, Diet Diversity, Wash