Assessment of Factors Associated with Malnutrition among Under Five Years Age Children at Machakel Woreda, Northwest Ethiopia: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction; malnutrition continues to be a significant public health and development concern not only in developing country but also in the world. It is a serious problem because it is causing the deaths of 3.5 million children under 5 years old per- year. Its magnitude is still highest in Ethiopia as well as in Amhara Region that remains a major public health problem. Objective: The main aim of this study is to assess associated factors of malnutrition on under five years children in Machakel Woreda. Methods: Unmatched Case control study was conducted. Cases were children of aged 6-59 months who have malnutrition (weight for height <2sd, weight for age ≤ 2Sd, height for age ≤ 2Sd, Mid-Upper Arm Circumstance (MUAC) <12 cm, if there is edema) and controls were 6-59 months of children those who have not malnutrition (weight for height ≥ 2sd, weight for age ≥ 2Sd, height for age ≥ 2sd, MUAC>12 cm, there is no edema). A consecutive sampling technique was employ to select study subjects for this study. Logistic regression was used to analyze data by using backward variable selection technique. Result: A total of 102 cases and 201 controls were included in the study with overall response rate of 94.4%. Sixty five (63.20%) of cases and 49 (24.40%) controls had fathers that cannot read and write. Thirty nine (38.23%) of cases and 44(21.89%) of controls had history of diarrheal episode. Those children whose family use drinking water from unprotected source were 3 times more likely to have malnutrition as compared to those children whose family use drinking water from protected source with [AOR=3.04, 95%CI (1.01, 9.17)]. Conclusion: The fining of this study revealed that inappropriate child carrying and feeding practice were strongly associated with under five malnutrition. Therefore, the responsible body should implement on nutritional intervention activities at all level of the community. Keywords: