Abstract:
Background: Undernutrition is the most difficult and widespread public health concern globally
and in low-income nations including Ethiopia. It can lead to impaired physical growth, restricted
intellectual skills, low school performance, reduced working capacity, and rooted disability in
adult life and intergenerational effect.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess Undernutrition and its associated factors among
children of age 6-59 months in Lalo Asabi district, West Wollega, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods and Materials: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Lalo Asabi
district on 424 children of age 6-59 months paired with their mothers who were selected by
simple random sampling technique from May 17/2023-June 17/2023. Data were collected by
using face to face interviewer administered structured questionnaires and anthropometric
measurements. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 26 and World Health
Organization Antro software version 3.2.2.1 was used for data and anthropometric analysis
respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were carried out to determine the
association between independent and outcome variable. multicollinearity was checked by VIF.
Goodness of fit was checked by using Deviance and Pearson chi-square test. For testing the
strengths of the associations, odds ratio and 95% CI were calculated. Level of statistical
significance was declared at a p-value <0.05.
Result: A total of 404 child-mother pairs were participated in the study, with a response rate of
95.3%. The overall prevalence of under nutrition of child among 6-59 months in the study area
showed that 87(21.5%), 76(18.8%) and 59(14.6%) were stunted, wasted and underweight
respectively. Pre-lacteal feeding [OR 8.82, 95% CI (3.01-25.87)], Low birth weight [OR 4.9,
95% CI (1.76-22.35)], and husband occupation [OR 3.36, 95% CI (1.2-9.51)] were significantly
associated with stunting. Having diarrhoea within two weeks [OR 4.44, 95% CI (1.66-11.91)],
number of meals per day [OR 2.72, 95% CI (1.08-6.77)] and time of complementary feeding
[OR 2.67, 95% CI (1.02-7.004)] were significantly associated with wasting. Low Birth weight
[OR 5.42, 95% CI (1.03-28.48)], feeding frequency [OR 10.75, 95% CI (2.96-38.96)] and home
gardening [OR 12.5, 95% CI (4.57-34.16)] were significantly associated with Underweight.
Conclusions: The finding of this study concluded that, under-five undernutrition is high by
Using the WHO cut-off point in the study area. Prelacteal feeding, Low birth weight, husband
occupation, having diarrhoea in past two weeks, number of meals per day, time of
complementary feeding started and home gardening for sale were significantly associated with
Undernutrition. Therefore, in order to address undernutrition in the community, it is necessary to
designing effective programs that take both targeted and sensitive interventions, paying
particular attention to children who are more vulnerable, and providing relevant nutritional
information.
