Association of Women Leading Land Use with Energy and Nutrient Intakes Among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months in Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Nutrition-specific interventions alone will not help countries to end child malnutrition; nutrition-sensitive interventions such as women empowerment are also needed. Therefore, this cross sectional study was conducted to assess the association of women leading land use with nutrient intakes among children aged 6 to 59 months in Oromia, Ethiopia. Three hundred thirty-two caregivers participated in the study. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data on background characteristics of child caregivers, women leading land use status, and caregivers’ exposure to mass media. Dietary assessment for nutrients intake was collected using a 24-hour recall. The survey data was analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Descriptive statistics were presented in frequency and percentages and in the form of mean ± SD. The nutrient intakes were compared with recommended dietary allowances to analyze the gap between the intakes and the recommendations were presented as percentages. Any difference in the variables was compared, based on women leading land use, using Chi square test and Mann Whitney u test, depending on the type of data. Results were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Starchy staples were consumed by more than 90% of the children; close to ¾ of the children consumed legumes and nuts; animal source foods consumption was below 20% except dairy products (84%). Vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables were consumed by 33% of the children on average; and the minimum dietary diversity score was achieved by 48% of the children. The median energy intakes for children aged above a year and calcium intakes during the second half of the first year were more than 90%. On the other hand, the intakes of energy, at the stage of the second 6 months, fat, the calcium (>1 year) and the ascorbic acid intake were below 90%. Intake of Fat and Ascorbic acid was very low. Interestingly, iron intake for the children of 6-12 months age was more than 100%. However, there was statistical difference (p<0.05) in the proportion children of women with land leading power and without land leading power who consumed starchy staples, legumes and nuts, dairy products as well as ascorbic acid. Women empowerment in deciding land use issues affect about their child feeding practices and ultimately nutritional outcome and therefore, Women empowerment should be ensured for better child feeding practices and nutrients intake.