Background: Globally about 159, 101, and 52 million children are stunted, underweight, and wasted, respectively. According to the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, about 38% of Ethiopian children are stunted and 46, 28.4, and 9.8% of children in Amhara Region are stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. This study aimed to assess undernutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months old at Dessie town, 2021. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October – November 2021 in Dessie Town. A total of 421 Mothers/caregivers with children aged 6-23 months old were selected by a systematic sampling method from the health extension registration book. Epi-data 3.01 was used for data entry, SPSS version 20 for statistical analysis, and WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 software for calculating the z scores. Binary logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the data. AOR with 95% CI and P-values less than 0.05 were considered to see the statistical significance. Results: A total of 421 mothers or care givers paired with 6-23 months old children participated in the study. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting were 36.8% (95% CI: 32%, 41.6%), 27.6% (95% CI: 23.6%, 32.2%), and 11.5% (95% CI: 8.4%, 14.7%) respectively. Sex of the child (AOR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.34), handwashing practice (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.05, 5.11) and maternal family planning use (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.77) were significantly associated with stunting. Age of child 12-17 months (AOR = 4.62; 95% CI: 2.65, 8.06) and sex of the child (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.21, 3.07) were associated with underweight. Age of child 12-17 months (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.78) and treatment of drinking water (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.59) were associated with wasting. Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study, the prevalence of undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months was higher for stunting (36.8%), underweight (27.6%) and wasting (11.5%) compared to WHO classification. Improved access to water, hygiene and sanitation, family planning services, avoiding gender discrimination during child feeding, and age-appropriate feeding practices are recommended. Moreover, implementation of public policies on food and nutrition is required for children 6-23 months of age.
This study was conducted in the Dessie Town administration. There are two governmental and three private hospitals in Dessie town. Based on the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), Dessie town has a total population of 151,174, of whom 72,932 are men and 78,242 are women. A total of 2,924 children 6-23 months of age live in Dessie Town, and 770 children 6-23 months of age live in the selected three sub cities. The study was conducted from October – November 2021. Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. The source population the source population was all mothers/caregivers with a child aged 6-23 months who resided in Dessie Town. The study population was all children aged 6-23 months who resided in the selected sub cities during the study period. In this study, all children aged 6-23 months living in the selected sub cities were included, and mothers/caregivers with communication barriers or mental problems and children with physical deformities were excluded. The sample size was calculated using Epi Info version 7.2 statistical software and by considering the following assumption. Based on findings from the EDHS 2016 report, the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight in Amhara Regions was 46, 9.8, and 28.4%, respectively (7). Therefore, the total sample sizes were calculated with a margin of error of 0.05, 95% confidence level, and 10% non-response. Finally, 421 children 6-23 months of age were taken from the study area. A multistage sampling method was used for this study. The sampled sub city was selected by using the lottery method from the 10 sub cities, and lists of under-five children were obtained from the sub city responsible person (Health extension worker housing registration). The sampling technique was a systematic random sampling technique. The total samples were proportionally allocated for the three sub cities, and the allocated sample size was selected by a systematic random sampling technique and determination of the K value, K = 770/421 = 1.8 (approximately = 2). The first subject was selected by the lottery method, which was number 1. Data were collected through interviewer-administered structured questionnaires and anthropometric tools. The data were collected by three diploma health extension workers working in the respective kebele (a total of three supervisors and nine data collectors were recruited from the three kebeles), and target children were selected using systematic random sampling from the document. This document was used to find their home/residence address. Finally, after obtaining the target children by using a structured questionnaire, caregivers/mothers were interviewed, and the length and weight of the child were measured. The date of birth was obtained from EPI cards and cross-check with neighbors. Children wore similar clothes and without shoes while measuring weight. During length measurement, children were in a recumbent position and Frankfurt plane 90 degrees in length. To measure weight, a medically acceptable weight scale (Digital SECA, made in Germany, model 874 1021659, serial number 5874269114011, graduation of 0.1 kg and measuring up to 150 kg) was used. Stunting (Yes/No), Wasting (Yes/No) and Underweight (Yes/No). Socioeconomic and demographic factors (age, sex, income, educational status (mother and father), maternal and child health status (diarrhea, pneumonia, TB &HIV immunization status, F/P, ANC, PNC, others), child feeding practice (initiation of complementary feeding, breastfeeding, minimum dietary diversity, and household food security status) and WASH factors (water availability, sanitation, handwashing) were the independent variables. Dietary diversity: The number of food or food group children from 6-23 months of age consumed for 24 h in the study period/reference period (from October to November 2021). High dietary diversity: Children are 6-23 months of age who receive four or more food groups of the seven food groups (8). Low dietary diversity: Children are 6-23 months of age who receive fewer than four food groups of the seven food groups (8). Minimum dietary diversity: Children 6–23 months of age who receive foods from 4 or more food groups from the seven during the study period (from October to November 2021) (8). Caregiver: A person who provides direct care for children (parents or other caregivers). Stunting: Height -for- age <−2 standard deviations (SDs) from the median of the WHO reference population (9). Wasting: Weight-for-height <−2 SD from the median of the WHO reference population (9). Underweight: Weight-for-age 3 = insecure) (10). Kebele: A “Kebele” is a small administrative unit that comprises up to 5,000 households (11). Food and Nutrition Technical Assistant (FANTA) tool for dietary diversity questions based on 24 recall periods from mother or child caregivers who are responsible for food preparation. The questionnaires have a minimum score of 0-7 (0-3 = low Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), 4-5 = medium DDS, 6-7 = high DDS). Though, Food and Nutrition Technical Assistant (FANTA) tool for dietary diversity classified in to three categories, previous studies conducted here in Ethiopia used the high and low dietary diversity classifications. It is because the medium category was not applicable for intervention here in our country, Ethiopia. Based on this reason, we all the authors modified this tool in to two categories as high (>4 food groups) and low dietary diversity (<4 food groups) (Reference no. 8). The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to assess the household food security status of households. Food security status was categorized into food security if the score was 0-3 and insecure if the score was greater than three. A weight scale (digital SECA, made in Germany, model 8741021659, serial number 5874269114011 and Graduation of 0.1 kg and measuring up to 150 kg and capable of reading to the nearest 0.1 kg) was used to measure the weight of the child. A horizontal wooden length board was used to measure the length in a recumbent position, which was read to the nearest 0.1 cm. Weight and length measurements were made three times, and then the average was computed. All completed questionnaires and weight measuring instruments were checked and calibrated daily (calibration was performed before weighing every child by setting it to zero and checking by putting a 1 kg iron rod before taking children’s weight) and regularly supervised on a daily basis by trained supervisors, and each questionnaire was checked for its completeness, accuracy, and consistency by the primary investigator. To ensure data quality, the recruited data collectors and supervisors were trained for two successive days. The questionnaire was developed in English and translated and adopted into locally acceptable “Amharic” and translated back to English to ensure consistency in the asking of questions by the interviewers. A pre-test was carried out on 10% of the actual sample size in another kebele to determine the acceptability of the question to be asked, appropriateness of the methods, reaction, and willingness of the respondents. To analyze the data, the dietary diversity score was determined by asking the food groups they ate within 24-h periods during the data collection period. Each food group has one mark, and the total food groups were scored from seven. Data processing and analysis were employed by the appropriate software Epi-data version 3.01 software for data entry. After the completion of data entry, recorded data were exported to SPSS version 20 for data analysis, and nutrition-related data (sex, age, height, and weight) were transferred to WHO Anthro version 3.2.2 to determine stunting, wasting, and underweight. All the findings are described in detail and summarized in percentages, mean + = SD, tables, and graphs, and for each outcome variable, binary logistic regression was performed. Binary logistic regression was used to indicate the gross association between each independent variable and the outcome variable. Then, those candidate variables that were filtered from the binary logistic regression (P value < 0.2) were moved to multivariable logistic regression, and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported, so the level of statistical significance was considered at a p value of <0.05 from the final model. Ethical clearance was obtained from Wollo University College of Medicine and Health Sciences ethical review committee and a written letter was given to the selected sub-cities. All the study participants were informed about the purpose of the study and assured confidentiality of the responses. Written consent was obtained from each participant. There are no known risks to a participant who takes part in this study. Accountability, confidentiality, neutrality, and academic honesty were maintained throughout the study.
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