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Introduction: Food availability and access are strongly affected by seasonality in Ethiopia. However, there are little data on seasonal variation in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices and malnutrition among 6-23 months old children in different agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia. Methods: Socio-demographic, anthropometry and IYCF indicators were assessed in post-and pre-harvest seasons among children aged 6-23 months of age randomly selected from rural villages of lowland and midland agro-ecological zones. Results: Child stunting and underweight increased from prevalence of 39.8% and 26.9% in post-harvest to 46.0% and 31.8% in pre-harvest seasons, respectively. The biggest increase in prevalence of stunting and underweight between post- and pre-harvest seasons was noted in the midland zone. Wasting decreased from 11.6% post-harvest to 8.5% pre-harvest, with the biggest decline recorded in the lowland zone. Minimum meal frequency, minimum acceptable diet and poor dietary diversity increased considerably in pre-harvest compared to post-harvest season in the lowland zone. Feeding practices and maternal age were predictors of wasting, while women’s dietary diversity and children age was predictor of child dietary diversity in both seasons. Conclusion: There is seasonal variation in malnutrition and IYCF practices among children 6-23 months of age with more pronounced effect in midland agro-ecological zone. A major contributing factor for child malnutrition may be poor feeding practices. Health information strategies focused on both IYCF practices and dietary diversity of mothers could be a sensible approach to reduce the burden of child malnutrition in rural Ethiopia.
This study was conducted in the Babile, Enderta and Hintalowajirat districts of Ethiopia from January to February 2014 and July to August 2014. Babile District (Woreda), which is 560 km away from Addis Ababa in the eastern part of Ethiopia, represents lowland agro-ecological area. The altitude of Babile Woreda ranges from 950 to 2000 meters above sea level and data were collected from 1000-1500 meters above sea level. The major agricultural product for consumption is sorghum and oil seeds; and groundnuts are used as cash crop. Khat (Catha edulis) is also a major cash crop in this region. Hintalo Wajirat and Enderta districts (683 km and 773 km away from Addis Ababa in the northern part of Ethiopia, respectively) represent midland agro-ecological areas. Data were collected from altitudes of greater than 2000 meters above sea level where the majority produce cereals (Teff and barley) and are involved in animal husbandry. A community based longitudinal study was conducted in eight kebeles (smallest administrative unit of Ethiopia) randomly selected from each geographical area from January to February 2014 (post-harvest season which is dry) and from July to August 2014 (pre-harvest season which is rainy). Two hundred sixteen mother/child pairs were included in the study and the ages of children were 6-23 months old during post-harvest, of which 206 were surveyed again during pre-harvest season. Mothers with children 6-23 months of age were selected randomly from a registration list available in each kebele and used by researchers to verify maternal and child age. The number mother/child pairs selected in each kebele was proportional to population size in each kebele. Dietary diversity was calculated in a standardized way using a tool developed by FANTA [17, 18]. A simple questionnaire allowed all foods eaten during the 24 previous hours to be noted. Each woman involved in the study was asked to recall all the communal dishes she had eaten and given to her child in the compound during this period. Information collected allowed us to calculate a Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) using seven food groups for infants [17]: cereals/roots/tubers; pulses/nuts; vitamin A rich fruits/vegetables; other vegetables and fruits; flesh foods; eggs; milk/dairy products. A nine food group classification was used for women. Women who consumed five or more than five food groups were considered as adequate while four or greater than four food groups was considered as adequate for children. The recall was randomly made on weekdays or on weekend days, since weekends do not have any special significance with respect to dietary intake in the context of our study. We took care to not include atypical days (local feasts or celebrations) in the recall. Minimum meal frequency and minimum acceptable diet were defined and calculated according to WHO guidelines [19]. The anthropometric measurements for mothers and children were performed using the standardized procedures recommended by WHO [19]. The study participants were weighed to the nearest 100 g on electronic scales (SECA, Germany) with a weighing capacity of 0 to 140 kg with minimal (light) clothing and removed their shoes and hats during the measurement. Children were weighed together with the mother of the child, and the child’s weight was calculated by subtracting the respective mother’s weight, and this was recorded on the form during the fieldwork and confirmed later on by supervisors. Their length/height was measured to the nearest one centimetre with locally made portable devices (SECA 2006 sliding board). The BMI was calculated by dividing weight by height in meters squared [weight/height2 (kg/m2)]. The mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of the left arm was measured to the nearest mm with a non-stretch measuring tape (MUAC 12.5 measuring tape/PAC-50). Data collectors were nurses holding diploma level or above qualifications. They were recruited and trained intensively on the data collection procedures, the context of specific questions across the questionnaire and anthropometric measurement procedures to be used. The questionnaire was prepared first in English then translated to Tigrigna and Afan Oromo languages as both agro-ecological zones have their own local languages. The process of data collection was overseen by supervisors and principal investigators. A pre-test survey was conducted on 5% of the total sample size in another rural area which has similar characteristics. Problems identified during the pre-test survey were corrected before the start of the actual survey. Two different measurements were taken by separate data collectors for height and weight of every study subject. In case of variation among the data collectors, the principal investigator took the measurement again for validation. Finally, the principal investigator was responsible for co-ordination and supervision of the overall data collection process. All children were apparently healthy during data collection and children with apparent sign of fever, diarrhoea, or any acute illness were excluded from the survey. Dependent variables were IYCF and nutritional status (malnutrition). The independent variables were the socio-demographic and household level characteristics of the family, health status of mothers and children, breastfeeding, housing, water and sanitation, health services utilization and cultural/social characteristics related to feeding style. Frequency of complementary feeding, dietary diversity and child illness and health seeking behaviour of the family were also assessed. The data were double entered by separate data clerks into EPI Data version 3.1. Data cleaning and editing were undertaken before analyses. For analyses, data were transferred to SPSS (v 16.0) and Stata (v 11). Frequency, mean and standard deviation were computed for the variables of interest. Normality was checked graphically using different plots (P-P and/or Q-Q-plot). Assumptions including normality, homoscedasticity and linearity were checked. The WHO Anthro 2005 and ENA software of the WHO were used for calculating the Z-scores (WAZ, WLZ, LAZ, and MUACZ) and cut-off points of -2 standard deviations were used to define undernutrition. IYCF practices and women’s dietary diversity were assessed based on the UNICEF guidelines [20]. Multivariable linear regressions were applied to isolate independent effects of predictors of weight-for-height z-score, weight-for-length z-score and infant dietary diversity score and paired t-test was used to determine if significant differences existed between post- and pre-harvest seasons.
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