Nutritional Status of Children With Disabilities Aged From Six Months To 17 Years In Gulele Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Malnutrition and disability are interconnected especially in countries suffering from high levels
of malnutrition including Ethiopia. Children with disability are prone to malnutrition due to
different factors. The study was aimed to assess the nutritional status and its causes among
children with disabilities aged from six months to seventeen years old, in Gulele Sub-City of
Addis Ababa. This study used cross-sectional study design and the sample size was determined
by using Cochran (1977) formula and adjusted by a formula for finite population to draw the
final 272 households and children with disability. Anthropometric measurements: height/length, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were used to study their nutritional status. Results were entered to SPSS 20 for further descriptive statistical analysis. Mid-Upper Arm
Circumference (MUAC) and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement indicates 55.1% and 58.1%
respectively was grouped under normal nutritional status. However, the rest 44.9% and 37.5%
respectively are under moderate and severe acute malnutrition. 35.3% of children with disability
were not able to feed properly due to poor appetite, restlessness, pharyngeal atresia, and
preference of food items. The type of disability the children have, family size, occupation and
income of the household heads, and inability to take food were statistically significant
relationship and considered as underlying causes for their nutritional status. Children with
multiple disabilities, especially those children who are not able to take food should get the
required nutrition and different types of care and support services. It is important to establish
disability specific service points in health institutions and mothers/caregivers should get
counselling regarding the needs of their children with disability.
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Keywords
Malnutrition, Ddisability, Micronutrient intake, Children, Anthropometric Measurements