- Research article
- Open access
- Published:
Undernutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in East Belesa District, northwest Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study
BMC Public Health volume 16, Article number: 506 (2016)
Abstract
Background
Undernutrition remains the major public health concern in Ethiopia and continues as the underlying cause of child mortality. However, there is a scarcity of information on the magnitude and determinant factors of undernutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in East Belesa District, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May, 2014. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to select 633 study participants. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. In order to identify factors associated with undernutrition (stunting and wasting) a multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95Â % Confidence Interval (CI) was computed to show the strength of the association. In the multivariate analysis, variables with a p-value of <0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
Results
In this study, about 57.7 and 16 % of the children were stunted and wasted, respectively. The odds of stunting were higher in children born to mothers who gave their first birth before 15 years of age (AOR = 2.4; 95 % CI: 1.19, 5.09) and gave prelacteal feeding to their child (AOR = 1.83; 95 % CI: 1.28, 2.61). However, lower odds of stunting were observed among children aged 36–47 months (AOR = 0.41; 95 % CI: 0.22, 0.78) and had higher family monthly income, Et. Br. 750–1000, (AOR = 0.61; 95 % CI: 0.39, 0.92). Moreover, the odds of wasting were higher among children who received butter as prelacteal food (AOR = 2.32; 95 % CI:1.82, 5.31).
Conclusion
Child undernutrition is a critical public health problem in the study area. Advanced age of children (36–47 months) and higher family monthly income were inversely associated with stunting. However, higher odds of stunting were observed among children whose mothers delivered their first child before 15 years of age, and gave their children prelacteal feeding. Thus, delaying the first pregnancy and reducing prelacteal feeding is of a paramount significance in reducing the burden of undernutrition.
Background
Nutritional status of children is an important outcome measure of their health status [1]. Child undernutrition (stunting and wasting) which is highly prevalent in low and middle income countries is crippling global economic growth [2, 3]. Wasting is a health condition that reflects acute nutritional deficit, while stunting is a measure of linear growth retardation showing the cumulative effect of chronic food deprivation [1]. Globally, about one quarter (26Â %), and nearly one-tenth (8Â %) of children are stunted and wasted, respectively [3]. A considerable burden (80Â %) of global undernutrition is observed in developing countries where most of the children live in substandard and insanitary conditions [4]. Asia alone bears 42Â % of the stunting and 70Â % of the wasting. Likewise, in Africa, the overall prevalence of stunting is 47Â % [5]; it is 42Â % in East Africa [3].
In Ethiopia, the burden of child undernutrition has persisted as a severe public health problem for decades. The 2011 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) Report, according to which about 44 and 10 % of the children were stunted and wasted, respectively, confirmed the public health significance of undernutrition [1]. Furthermore, because of the difference in socio-economic and ecological characteristics, the magnitude of undernutrition exhibited regional variations ranging from 24 to 67 % for stunting and 11–17 % for wasting [6–8].
Globally, undernutrition is widely considered as the underlying cause for 3.1 million child deaths, 45 % of all causes of mortality [3]. The risk of mortality worsens, especially when a child suffers from stunting and wasting at the same time [9]. Stunting correlates to poor cognition and low school performance and a higher risk of developing nutrition-related chronic diseases in later life [2, 4, 10–12]. In Ethiopia, though there has been a significant achievement in reducing the overall child mortality, still 88 children per 1000 live births die before celebrating their fifth birth day [1], and undernutrition remains the underlying cause for 28 % of child mortality. Similarly, it was estimated to cause loss of Et.Br. 55.5 billion per annum, which is equivalent to 16.5 % of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sixteen percent of all failures in primary schools are also associated with stunting [13].
Child undernutrition is the consequence of complex interactions of various factors mainly related to socio-economic, feeding pattern, health care, and environmental factors. Previous reports from different countries claimed that poor feeding practices, rural residence, maternal and paternal illiteracy, advanced maternal age, poor household economic status, non-attendance of antenatal care, poor access to safe water, unavailability of toilet facility, closed birth interval, and a large number of siblings are factors significantly associated with undernutrition [7, 14–27].
Mindful of the adverse consequences of undernutrition, Ethiopia has set a target to reduce stunting from 44 to 30 %, and wasting from 10 to 3 % [28]. To this end, the country designed different nutritional strategies and programs [28, 29] though no significant improvements have yet been attained [1]. Furthermore, studies carried out in the drought prone areas of the country noted the heaviest burden of undernutrition compared to the national average [8, 30]. Likewise, East Belesa District, the current study area, as one of the drought prone areas needs further emphasis and investigation of the problem. However, there is a scarcity of information about the magnitude and the determinant factors of undernutrition in northwest Ethiopia, particularly East Belesa District. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition (stunting and wasting) and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months in the area in order to fill the knowledge gap.
Methods
Study design and setting
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2014 in East Belesa District, northwest Ethiopia. The district has 22 kebeles (smallest administrative units in Ethiopia), 20 of which are rural. Out of the total 111,687 inhabitants, 14.6Â % are children under five years of age. The district is situated at an altitude ranging from 1496 to 2000Â m above sea-level. About 90% of the district is desert (kola) with a minimal annual rain fall leading to frequent drought and famine. In spite of the climatic condition, the people depend on agriculture and cultivate cereals, like teff, beans, sorghum, and wheat.
Sample size and sampling procedures
Mother-child pairs who lived in East Belesa District for at least six months were eligible for the study. Sample size was determined using the single population proportion formula with the following assumptions: the prevalence of stunting among children aged 6–59 months was 52 % in Amhara Region [2], a 95 % level of confidence, 5 % margin of error, a design effect of 1.5, and a ten percent contingency for non-response rate. Finally, the minimum sample size required for the study (633) was obtained. A multi-stage stratified sampling, followed by a systematic random sampling technique was employed to reach the study subjects. The kebeles were stratified into urban and rural settlements. Out of the 22 kebeles, 5 (one urban and four rural) were selected by the lottery method. The total number of households with children aged 6–59 months (2735) was accessed from the Health Extension Workers Housing Registration. Then the number of households sampled from the selected kebeles was determined proportionally. In addition, the sampling interval was calculated, and households with eligible children were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. For households with more than one children, a child was selected using the lottery method. When mother-child pairs were not available at the time of data collection, another visit was made. When that failed, the nearby household was considered.
Data collection instruments and procedures
Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. To maintain consistency, the questionnaire was first translated from English to Amharic (the native language of the study area) and was retranslated to English by professional translators. The questionnaire was designed with four major sections, like socio-demographic and economic characteristics, child feeding practices, maternal and child health care, and household related factors. The tool was piloted on 32 mother-child pairs outside the study area. During the pre-test, the acceptability and applicability of the tools and procedures was evaluated. Interview was conducted with mothers. Ten clinical nurses collected the data under the supervision of two health officers. The data collectors and supervisors were given a two-day intensive training ahead of time.
Anthropometric measurements
Child weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg by the seca beam balance (German, Serial No. 5755086138219) with graduation of 0.1 kg and a measuring range of up to 25 kg. Weight was taken with light clothing and no shoes. Instrument calibration was done before weighing each child. Furthermore, the weighing scale was checked daily against the standard weight for accuracy. Height was measured using the seca vertical height scale (German, Serial No. 0123) standing upright in the middle of the board. The child’s head, shoulders, buttock, knees, and heels touch the vertical board. The length of a child (aged 6–23 months) was measured using a horizontal wooden length board in recumbent position, and read to the nearest 0.1 cm. To check edema, normal thumb pressure was applied on both feet for three seconds. The data collectors checked whether a shallow print remained on both feet or not when the thumb was lifted.
Data analysis
Data were entered into the EPI-info version 3.5.3 statistical software, and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical package. Nutrition related data (sex, age, height, weight, and edema status) were transferred to the ENA/SMART software version 2012. The Z-scores of indices, Weight-for-Hight Z-score (WHZ) and Hight-for-Age Z-score (HAZ) were calculated and compared using the World Health Organization (WHO) Multicenter Growth Reference Standard. A child whose HAZ less than −2 Standard Deviation (SD) from the reference population was defined as stunted, while a child with WHZ less than −2 SD from the reference population was classified as wasted [31]. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and proportions were used to summarize the variables. Bivariate analysis was done individually for all independent variables with stunting and wasting. Variables with a p-values of <0.2 in the bivariate analysis were entered to a multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the independent determinants of stunting and wasting separately. Both the Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a corresponding 95 % Confidence Interval (CI) were computed to show the strength of the association. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, variables with a p-value of <0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
Results
Six hundred thirty-three mother-child pairs were included in the study. The mean (±SD) age of the children was 26.5(±14.4) months, and one-fourth (28.1 %) were found in the age range of 12–23 months. Most (87.7 %) of the mothers were uneducated; about 94.9 % were housewives (Table 1).
Nearly two-thirds (58.7 %) of the children were given prelacteal food; for 72.6 % the prelacteal food was butter. Moreover, half (55.5 %) of the children were initiated to complementary feeding at the right time, the sixth month of age. Two-thirds (67.8 %) of the children took vitamin-A supplementation in the past six months. About 26.1 and 18.5 % had history of diarrheal morbidity and fever, respectively, in the past two weeks preceding the survey. One-quarter (28.8 %) of the mothers had antenatal care visits for the index child (Table 2).
Nearly one-fourth (22.9 %) of the households used public tap water for consumption. Most of the households (78.5 %) took more than 30 min round trip to fetch water, while 60.8 % had no latrines (Table 3).
Prevalence of undernutrition
The overall prevalence of stunting and wasting among children aged 6–59 months was 57.7 % (95 % CI: 50.1, 65.2 %) and 16 % (95 % CI: 10.4, 21.6 %), respectively. Stunting was higher among male children and wasting among female ones (Fig. 1). However, both stunting and wasting were more prevalent among children aged 12–23 months (Fig. 2).
Factors associated with undernutrition
In the bivariate analysis, child age, family monthly income, maternal antenatal care visit, family size, maternal age at first birth, and history of prelacteal feeding were significantly associated with stunting. However, the final multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age of children (36–47 months) (AOR = 0.41; 95 % CI: 0.22, 0.78) and higher family monthly income, Et. Br. 750–1000 (AOR = 0.61; 95 % CI: 0.39, 0.92) and greater than Et. Br. 1000 (AOR = 0.45; 95 % CI: 0.23, 0.88) were significantly associated with reduced odds of stunting. Prelacteal feeding was associated with higher odds of stunting (AOR = 1.83; 95 % CI: 1.28, 2.61). Similarly, increased odds of stunting were observed among children whose mothers gave their first birth before 15 years of age compared to those whose mothers gave their first birth between 20 and 29 years of age (AOR = 2.47; 95 % CI: 1.19, 5.09) (Table 4).
The result of the bivariate analysis showed that child sex, vitamin-A supplementation in the past six months, type of prelacteal food given, and household water treatment were significantly associated with wasting. However, the final adjusted analysis revealed that the odds of wasting were 2.3 times higher among children who received butter as prelacteal food than those who received water (AOR = 2.32; 95 % CI: 1.82, 5.31) (Table 5).
Discussion
According to WHO criteria, the public health significance of undernutrition is considered as very high/critical when the prevalence of stunting and wasting among children exceeds 40 and 15Â %, respectively [32]. Accordingly, the prevalence of stunting (57.7Â %) and wasting (16Â %) in this study confirmed the very high public health significance of undernutrition in the study area. Advanced age of children and higher family monthly income were significantly associated with reduced odds of stunting. However, prelacteal feeding and giving the first birth before 15Â years of age were associated with higher odds of stunting. In addition, taking butter as a prelacteal feed was positively associated with wasting.
The prevalence of stunting in this area was found to be the highest in comparison with other communities at home and abroad. For example, the prevalence in Gumbrit [6] and Gojjam [33], both in northwest Ethiopia, was 24 and 43.2Â %, respectively, while Kenya [34], Vietnam [35], and Nepal [36] reported prevalence of 47, 20.7, and 41Â %, respectively. The difference could be attributed to low agricultural productivity and repeated occurrence of drought which predisposes the community to recurrent food insecurity in our study area compared to the study areas in northwest Ethiopia. It could also be due to socio-economic and cultural situations of the study areas. It was also noted that food insecurity was associated with higher odds of stunting [36].
However, the prevalence of stunting in East Belesa was lower than the finding of a study in Afar Region, Ethiopia (67.8Â %) [8]. The difference could be due to the livelihood of the people in Afar Region where agro-pastoral activities support the dwellers. Such a life style forces residents to live in temporal settlements which might pose difficulties for mothers to appropriately care for and feed their children throughout the year. In fact, poor child feeding practices [17, 20, 21, 37] and frequent infections [34] were the commonly reported predictors of undernutrition.
The prevalence of wasting in the study area was similar to reports from other Ethiopian settlements, like Oromia (16.8Â %) [13], Tigray (11.6Â %) [7], Gumbrit District (17.7Â %) [6], Gojjam (14.8Â %) [33], Afar Region (12.8Â %) [8], and Bangladesh (Southeast Asia) (19.1Â %) [38]. The magnitude of wasting in this study was also higher than the Ethiopian DHS report (2011) [1]. Another study in northwest Ethiopia [39], Kenya [34], and Nigeria [40] reported prevalence of 4.9, 2.6, and 3.7Â %, respectively. This could be partially explained by the difference in socio-economic and food security status among the study areas. The prevalence was lower than what was reported from the Somali Region, Ethiopia (42.3Â %) [30], urban slum of Ludhiana, India (42Â %) [41], and Chitwan District, Nepal (25.7Â %) [42].
In this study, a higher family monthly income was associated with lower odds of stunting. Similar findings were reported elsewhere [6, 18, 43]. This could be due to the fact that low income might result in loss of the household purchasing power to procure nutritious and diversified food. This may increase the likelihood of infection through such mechanisms as inadequate personal and environmental hygiene. It was noted that recurrent infections and poor personal and environmental hygiene were significant determinants of undernutrition [44].
Children aged 36–47 months were less likely to be stunted compared with infants aged 6–11 months. This could be due to the fact that the latter have poorer nutritional reserve capacity compared to the former. Poor nutritional reserve capacity with chronic exposure to poor quality complementary food increases the child’s risk of developing stunting. Other studies also claimed that infancy was a component of the most critical period for the risk of stunting and its irreversible damage [1, 43].
The odds of stunting among children born to mothers who gave their first birth before 15 years of age were high. Adolescence, a transition period between childhood and adulthood, is a time of rapid growth and development, demanding extra energy and micronutrients. Nevertheless, in case of early pregnancy (before 15 years of age), the mother and the growing fetus compete for nutrients to support their rapid growth. As a result, pregnancy during adolescence slows down the girl’s growth [45]. However, low maternal stature was independently associated with Intra-Uterine Fetal Growth Restriction (IUGR) and childhood stunting [3].
Children given prelacteal feeds were more likely to be stunted than their counterparts. The finding was consistent with a previous report from Gojjam, northwest Ethiopia [33]. Similarly, children who were given butter as prelacteal food were at a higher risk of wasting as compared to those who took water. This finding was supported by a report from the Somali Region, Ethiopia [30]. This could be explained by the fact that prelacteal food impairs the newborns’ opportunity to obtain immune factors through feeding on colostrum [46] and increases the risk of the inoculation of pathogenic microorganisms through contaminated prelacteal food. The pathogenic microorganisms might enhance host susceptibility to different infectious diseases and cause damage to the intestinal mucosal cells, thereby leading to malabsorption of nutrients [45].
Although a thorough attempt has been made to show the current burden of undernutrition in this drought prone area, the study is not free from certain limitations. Firstly, the cross-sectional nature of the study design neither represents the seasonal variations of nutritional outcomes, particularly that of wasting status nor establishes the correct temporal causal relationships of the predictors and the outcome variables. Secondly, the study is not free from measurement errors in gathering anthropometric data although a pretest, instrument calibration, and close supervisions were carried out to minimize bias.
Conclusion
In this community, child undernutrition is a critical public health problem. Advanced age (36–47 months) of children and higher family monthly income were significantly associated with lower odds of stunting. However, higher odds of stunting were observed among mothers who gave their first birth before 15 years of age and children who received prelacteal feeds. The likelihood of developing wasting increased among children who were given butter as prelacteal food. Thus, efforts should be intensified to further improve the socio-economic status of the community. Moreover, delaying mothers’ first pregnancy and reducing prelacteal feeding is of a paramount significance in reducing the burden of undernutrition.
Abbreviations
AOR, adjusted odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; COR, crude odds ratio; DHS, Demographic and Health Survey; GDP, gross domestic product; HAZ, Hight-for-Age Z-score; WHO, World Health Organization; WHZ, Weight-for-Hight Z-score
References
Central Statistical Authority [Ethiopia] and ORC Macro. Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2011. Addis Ababa. Maryland: Ethiopia and Calverton; 2011.
Victora CG, Adair L, Fall C, Hallal PC, Martorell R, Richter L, Sachdev HS, Maternal and Child Undernutrition Study Group. Maternal and child undernutrition: consequences for adult health and human capital. Lancet. 2008;371(9609):340–57.
Black RE, Victora CG, Walker SP, Zq B, Christian P, de Onis M, et al. Maternal and child undernutrition and overweight in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet. 2013;382:427–51.
Ezzati M, Lopez AD, Rodgers A, Vander Hoorn S, Murray CJ. Selected major risk factors and global and regional burden of disease. Lancet. 2002;360(9343):1347–60.
Cutting W, Elton R, Campbell J, Minton E, Spreng J. Stunting in African children. Arch Dis Child. 1987;62(5):508–9.
Edris M. Assessment of nutritional status of preschool children of Gumbrit, North West Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2007;21(2):125–9.
Mulugeta A, Hagos F, Kruseman G, Linderhof V, Stoecker B, Abraha Z, Yohannes M. Child malnutrition in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. East Afr Med J. 2010;87(6):248–54.
Bogale A, Abebaw D. Prevalence of child malnutrition in agro-pastoral households in Afar Regional state of Ethiopia. Nutr Res Pract. 2013;7(2):122–31.
McDonald CM, Olofin I, Flaxman S, Fawzi WW, Spiegelman D, Caulfield LE, Black RE, Ezzati M, Danaei G. The effect of multiple anthropometric deficits on child mortality: meta-analysis of individual data in 10 prospective studies from developing countries. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;97(4):896–901.
Kordas K, Lopez P, Rosado JL, Vargas GG, Rico JA, Ronquillo D, Cebrián ME, Stoltzfus RJ. Blood lead, anemia, and short stature are independently associated with cognitive performance in Mexican school children. J Nutr. 2004;134(2):363–71.
Mendez MA, Adair LS. Severity and timing of stunting in the first two years of life affect performance on cognitive tests in late childhood. J Nutr. 1999;129(8):1555–62.
Grantham-McGregor S, Cheung YB, Cueto S, Glewwe P, Richter L, Strupp B, Group ICDS. Developmental potential in the first 5 years for children in developing countries. Lancet. 2007;369(9555):60–70.
The Cost of hunger in Ethiopia. Implications for the Growth and Transformation of Ethiopia. State Minister of Health, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Summary report, 1012.
Girma W, Genebo T. Determinants of Nutritional Status of Women and Children in Ethiopia. ORC Macro: Calverton; 2002.
Islam MM, Alam M, Tariquzaman M, Kabir MA, Pervin R, Begum M, et al. Predictors of the number of under-five malnourished children in Bangladesh: application of the generalized poisson regression model. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:11.
Babar NF, Muzaffar R, Khan MA, Imdad S. Impact of socioeconomic factors on nutritional status in primary school children. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2010;22(4):15–8.
Garg A, Chadha R. Index for Measuring the Quality of Complementary Feeding Practices in Rural India. J Health Popul Nutr. 2009;27(6):763–71.
Mengistu K, Alemu K, Destaw B. Prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months at Hidabu Abote District, North Shewa, Oromia Regional State. J Nutr Disorders Ther. 2013;1:1–5.
Saha KK, Frongillo EA, Alam DS, Arifeen SE, Persson LÅ, Rasmussen KM. Appropriate infant feeding practices result in better growth of infants and young children in rural Bangladesh. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:1852–9.
Khatoon T, Mollah AH, Choudhury AM, Islam MM, Rahman KM. Association between Infant- and Child-feeding Index and Nutritional Status: Results from a Cross-sectional Study among Children Attending an Urban Hospital in Bangladesh. J Health Popul Nutr. 2011;29(4):349–56.
Haile D, Belachew T, Birhanu G, Setegn T, Biadgilign S. Infant feeding practices among HIV exposed infants using summary index in Sidama Zone. BMC Pediatr. 2014;14:49.
Odunayo IS, Oyewole OA. Risk factors for malnutrition among rural Nigerian children. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006;15(14):491–5.
Hien NN, Kam S. Nutritional status and the characteristics related to malnutrition in children under five years of age in Nghean, Vietnam. J Prevent Med Public Health. 2008;41(4):232–40.
As O, Oyekale TO. Do mothers’ educational levels matter in child malnutrition and health outcomes in Gambia and Niger? Soc Sci. 2009;4(1):118–27.
Rahman A, Chowdhury S, Hossain D. Acute malnutrition in Bangladeshi children: levels and determinants. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2009;XX(X):1–9.
Wamani H, Nordrehaug A, Strøm A, Peterson S, Tumwine JK, Tylleska RT. Predictors of poor anthropometric status among children under 2 years of age in rural Uganda. Public Health Nutr. 2005;9(3):320–6.
Rayhan MI, Hayat Khan MS. Factors causing malnutrition among under five children in Bangladesh. Pak J Nutr. 2006;5(6):558–62.
Government of the Federal Democratic and Republic of Ethiopia. National Nutrition Program. June 2013-June 2015
Federal Ministry of Health. Ethiopian National Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding. 2004
Demissie S, Worku A. Magnitude and Factors Associated with Malnutrition in Children 6–59 Months of Age in Pastoral Community of Dollo Ado District, Somali Region, Ethiopia. Sci J Public Health. 2013;1(4):175–83.
World Health Organization, UNICEF: WHO child growth standards and the identification of severe acute malnutrition in infants and children: joint statement by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. 2009.
World Health Organization. Nutrition Landscape Information System country profile indicators interpretation guide. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010.
Teshome B, Kogi-Makau W, Getahun Z, Taye G. Magnitude and determinants of stunting in children under five years of age in food surplus region of Ethiopia: The case of West Gojam Zone. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2009;23(2):98–106.
Olack B. Nutritional Status of Under-five Children Living in an Informal Urban Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. J Health Popul Nutr. 2011;29(4):357–63.
Woldehanna T, Gudisa R, Tafere Y, Pankhurst A. Understanding Changes in the Lives of Poor Children: Initial Findings from Ethiopia. Young Lives Round 3 Survey Report, September 2011.
Osei A et al. Household food insecurity and nutritional status of children aged 6 to 23 months in Kailali District of Nepal. Food Nutr Bull. 2010;31(4):483.
Bryce J, Coitinho D, Darnton-Hill I, Pelletier D, Pinstrup-Andersen P. Maternal and child undernutrition: effective action at national level. Lancet Series. 2008. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61694-8.
Ali D et al. Household food insecurity is associated with higher child undernutrition in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, but the effect is not mediated by child dietary diversity. J Nutr. 2013;143:1–7.
Asres G, Eidelman AI. Nutritional assessment of Ethiopian Beta-Israel children: a cross-sectional survey. Breastfeed Med. 2011;6:171–6.
Aliyu AA, Oguntunde OO, Dahiru T, Raji T. Prevalence and determinants of malnutrition among pre-school children in Northern Nigeria. Pak J Nutr. 2012;11:1092–5.
Paramita S, Nina P, Benjamin AI. Epidemiological correlates of under-nutrition in under-5 years children in an urban slum of Ludhiana. Health Popul Perspect Issues. 2010;33(1):1.
Ruwali D. Nutritional status of children under five years of age and factors associated in Padampur VDC, Chitwan, Nepal. Health Prospect. 2011;10:14–8.
Gigante DP, Rasmussen KM, Victora CG. Pregnancy increases BMI in adolescents of a population-based birth cohort. J Nutr. 2005;135:74–80.
Goldman AS. Modulation of the gastrointestinal tract of infants by human milk. Interfaces and interactions. An evolutionary perspective. J Nutr. 2000;130(2S Suppl):426S–31.
Rah JH, Christian P, Shamim AA, et al. Pregnancy and lactation hinder growth and nutritional status of adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh. J Nutr. 2008;138:1505–11.
Zarban A, Taheri F, Chahkandi T, Sharifzadeh G, Khorashadizadeh M. Antioxidant and radical scavenging activity of human colostrum, transitional and mature milk. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2009;45(2):150–4.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank mothers who volunteered to participate in the study. We are also grateful to Mr. Demeke Dessu for his priceless contribution of copyediting the manuscript. Finally, our gratitude goes to the East Belesa District Health Office for their support and co-operation.
Funding
No fund was obtained for this study.
Availability of data and materials
Data will be available upon request from the correspondence authors.
Authors’ contributions
WF conceived the study, coordinated the overall activity, and carried out the statistical analysis. MW participated in the design of the study and drafted the manuscript. AT participated in the design of the study, performed the statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Review Board of the University of Gondar. A letter of permission was obtained from the East Belesa District Health Office prior to the data collection. The study did not involve any invasive procedures and reporting of any response for intervention. So, the study posed a low or not more than a minimal risk to the study participants. Accordingly, after the objective of the study was explained, verbal consent was secured from the parents of the study participants. The right of participants to withdraw from the study at any time without any precondition was disclosed unequivocally. Moreover, the confidentiality of information obtained was guaranteed by all data collectors and investigators by using code numbers rather than personal identifiers and by keeping the questionnaire locked. Children who fulfilled the criteria for Moderate Acute Malnutrition or Severe Acute Malnutrition were referred to the respective rehabilitation centers.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
About this article
Cite this article
Fentahun, W., Wubshet, M. & Tariku, A. Undernutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months in East Belesa District, northwest Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 16, 506 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3180-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3180-0