Determinants of Acute Malnutrition among Children Aged 6-59 Months in Public Health Facilities of Pastoralist Community, Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia: A Case Control Study.

Anwar Seid,Firehiwot Mesfin,Berhanu Seyoum

doi:10.1155/2017/7265972

Anwar Seid, Firehiwot Mesfin + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7265972

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Abstract

Background In low income countries, acute malnutrition continues to be the most important risk factor for illnesses and deaths. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months. Methods A facility based unmatched case control study was employed on 420 (140 cases and 280 controls) children aged 6–59 months with their caregivers between January 20 and February 20, 2014. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Children aged 12–23 months [AOR = 10.51, 95% CI = 4.93, 22.34], rural residence [AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.22, 4.79], illiterate father [AOR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.32, 4.61], Monthly income of less than 1000 birr [AOR = 3.98, 95% CI 2.05, 7.69], and food served together with family [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.10, 4.30] were associated with acute malnutrition. Conclusion Rural residence, illiterate father, monthly income of less than 1000 birr, and food served together with family are statistically associated with acute malnutrition. Improving practices of parents on appropriate child feeding and creating awareness related to key risk factors of acute malnutrition should be further strengthened.

Highlights

In low income countries, acute malnutrition continues to be the most important risk factor for illnesses and deaths
Severe acute malnutrition is the commonest reason for paediatric hospital admission
A health facility based unmatched case control study design was conducted between January 20, 2014, to February 20, 2014

Summary

Introduction

Acute malnutrition continues to be the most important risk factor for illnesses and deaths. Children aged 12–23 months [AOR = 10.51, 95% CI = 4.93, 22.34], rural residence [AOR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.22, 4.79], illiterate father [AOR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.32, 4.61], Monthly income of less than 1000 birr [AOR = 3.98, 95% CI 2.05, 7.69], and food served together with family [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.10, 4.30] were associated with acute malnutrition. Illiterate father, monthly income of less than 1000 birr, and food served together with family are statistically associated with acute malnutrition. Severe acute malnutrition is the commonest reason for paediatric hospital admission. This is because an estimated 2 million children under five were admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition globally [1]

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