Tesfaye, Fikru(PhD)Fantahun, Misganaw(PhD)T/tsadik, W/medhin2018-07-252023-11-052018-07-252023-11-052001-10http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/9994The impact of social marginalization on the health of certain ethnic minority populations, particularly in women is a serious problem worldwide. However, its magnitude and factors are not well explored in developing countries in general and in our context in particular. Hence cross sectional, community based study with social group comparisons was conducted in Koysha Development Area of ActionAid-Ethiopia between January and December 2001. The study aimed at assessing the influence of social marginalization on the health and nutritional status of women. The study particularly focused on the health and nutritional status differences between the Manja and Malla social groups. All peasant associations within AAE-Koysha development program area were represented in the survey. The two study populations were stratified based on their social strata and selecting villages using probability proportionate to size technique enabled us to identify the required numbers of respondents. Data were collected using structured and pre-tested questionnaire, focus group discussions, in depth interviews and anthropomery. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi Info and SPSS statistical software. The utilization of services for reproductive health problems by minorities (Manja social group) was low compared to the dominant Malla social group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two social groups in the use of antenatal care [OR = 2.93(1.39,6.25)], median number of antenatal care visit (p<0.05), and birth attended by trained traditional birth attendants or health professionals [OR = 4.61(1.75,13.17)]. The study also revealed that Mnaja women were at a reproductive health and nutrition disadvantage than their counterparts including, history of spontaneous abortions [OR = 1.71(1.08,2.72)], too many pregnancies [OR = 1.97(1.33,2.91)], grand multiparty [OR = 1.63(1.09,2.42)], and nutritional status as measured by MUAC <22.5cm [OR=3.34(2.05,5.39)]. viii From the study it is concluded that Manja mothers are discriminated in many aspects of social, economic and political processes. Manja mothers are at a greater risk of reproductive health and malnutrition (with regard to undernutrition) compared to the majority Malla social group. Scaling up of interventions to improve the livelihood of socially marginalised groups (Manja) in general and women in particular by all pro poor partners, including AAE is an area that needs to be emphasized in the futureenSocial MarginalizationHealth of certain ethnic minority populationsThesis