Prevalence of Acute Malnutrition and Associated Factors Among Under-Five Children in Gursum District, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Acute malnutrition is one type of under-nutrition that is devastating life and as reflected a nutritionally deficient state of recent onset related to sudden food deprivation or mal-absorption utilization of nutrients which results significant weight loss. In Ethiopia, child under-nutrition is one of the most serious public health problem and the highest in the world. Therefore, this study designed to assess the prevalence of acute malnutrition and its associated factors in children aged 6-59 months in Gursum district in Somali region in Ethiopia. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 541 children aged 6-59 months from Feb. 14-25, 2019. A multistage sampling method was used to select the study participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used and EPI-DATA statistical software were entered the data and SPSS version20 were used for analysis. The Z-scores for weight-for-height (WHZ) were calculated using the World Health Organization anthro2010. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with acute malnutrition. The statistical significance Variable was declared at P-Value less than0.05. Multi-co-linearity effect was checked. The study found the prevalence of wasting was 21.2% (17.54, 24.726). Educational status of the mother (AOR=1.87, 95% CL: 1.065, 3.286), diarrhoea two weeks before interview (AOR=2.469, 95% CI: 1.487, 4.100), family size (AOR=1.72, 95% CL: 1.058, 2.797), colostrum feeding (AOR: 2.26; 95%CI: 1.404, 3.646), bottle feeding (AOR: 3.297; 95% CI (1.944, 5.591) were significantly associated with acute malnutrition in Gursum district. Conclusion: The prevalence of acute malnutrition in the study area was high. Health extension workers and stakeholders should give concern on promotion of proper nutrition in the community.