Abstract
BackgroundGlobally, in every three preschool children one is affected by malnutrition. In Ethiopia, child undernutrition continues to be a serious public health problem. Data are scarce, especially in 24-59 months age children. We aimed at estimating under nutrition and its associated factors among children 24–59 months age in Aykel Town, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 24–59 months in Aykel Town from January to February 2017. A total of 416 children were included in to the study using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by interview and anthropometric measurements. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify the predictors of stunting, wasting and underweight.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 28.4, 10 and 13.5%, respectively. Children from low birth order; 1st (AOR = 8.60, 95%CI: 2.40, 3.70) and 2nd -4th (AOR = 5.80, 95%CI: 1.80, 18.90), from large family size (AOR = 3.67, 95%CI: 1.92, 7.00), and had meal frequency < 3/day (AOR = 5.09, 95%CI: 2.96, 8.74) were at a higher risk of stunting. Children who had not fed on cow milk (AOR = 5.50, 95%CI: 2.30, 13.00), and from mothers who had poor hand washing practice (AOR = 11.00, 95%CI: 4.30, 27.9) were more likely to be wasted. Children who had not fed on cow milk (AOR = 2.90, 95%CI: 1.40, 6.00), breast fed for less than 24 months (AOR = 2.60, 95%CI: 1.35, 5.00), consumed foods from less than four food groups (AOR = 6.30, 95%CI: 1.70, 23.00), and were from mothers’ who had poor hand washing practice (AOR = 2.50, 95%CI: 1.30, 4.70) had higher odds of being underweight.ConclusionStunting, wasting and underweight are high among children aged 24–59 months in Aykel Town. Poor child feeding and maternal hygienic practices were identified as risk factors of undernutrition. Educating mothers/care givers on the advantages of proper child feeding and maintaining hygienic practices at critical times is valuable in improving the nutritional status of children.
Highlights
In every three preschool children one is affected by malnutrition
These prevalence rates were lower than the study findings of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2016 [22], a study conducted in Lalibela Town, Ethiopia [23], and Somalia region, Ethiopia [15], which reported higher prevalence of stunting and underweight among under five children
This study confirmed a high prevalence of undernutrition in Aykel Town
Summary
In every three preschool children one is affected by malnutrition. In Ethiopia, child undernutrition continues to be a serious public health problem. We aimed at estimating under nutrition and its associated factors among children 24–59 months age in Aykel Town, Northwest Ethiopia. Undernutrition among children continues to be a major public health problem throughout the world. In 2018, about 155 million children under the age of 5 years were stunted and 52 million wasted worldwide. Asia and Africa contributed 56 and 38% of stunting, and 69 and 27.2% of wasting, respectively, of the global undernutrition burden [1]. Stunting is a sign of chronic undernutrition that reflects failure to receive adequate nutrition over a long period and can be affected by recurrent and chronic illness [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
