BackgroundAlthough Pre-lacteal feeding is a barrier for implementation of optimal breastfeeding practices and increases the risk of neonatal illness and mortality, still it is continued as a deep-rooted nutritional malpractice in developing countries. In Ethiopia pre-lacteal feeding continued as one of the nutritional malpractices in newborns. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess pre-lacteal feeding practice and its determinants among mothers of children less than 24 months of age in Sodo zuria district, Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 15, 2017 to March 12, 2017 in Sodo zuria district, Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. Five hundred five (505) mothers of children aged less than 24 months were selected by multistage randomized sampling technique and the data were collected by using interview based structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis were employed to identify the factors associated with pre-lacteal feeding practices. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were identified as statistically significant factors.ResultsThe prevalence of pre-lacteal feeding practice was 20.6%. The common type of pre-lacteal feeding given was plain water; 38(7.7%) and the major reason was insufficient breast milk 32(6.5%). Mothers living with extended family type (AOR = 10.64, 95% CI: 1.05, 10.71), Lack of breastfeeding counseling (AOR = 5.16, 95% CI: 1.76, 15.13) and mothers who avoid colostrum (AOR = 9.72, 95% CI: 3.46, 27.30) were statistically significant positive predictors of pre-lacteal feeding practice.Conclusion & RecommendationPre-lacteal feeding is commonly practiced in Soddo zuria district. Mothers who live with extended family type, mothers who did not get breastfeeding counseling and mothers who avoid colostrum were statistically significant positive predictors of pre-lacteal feeding practice. Therefore, strengthening breastfeeding counseling about the risks associated with pre-lacteal feeding and colostrum feeding intervention should be integrated. Promotion of intensive nutrition education program, on the benefit of colostrum by giving special emphasis to extended family mothers should be implemented in the community.

Background Lower respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in children younger than 5 years. Even if the burden of lower respiratory infections in children under 5 years old had decreased dramatically in the last 10 years, it is still the main cause of morbidity and mortality in children under-5 years old in developing countries, so the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of lower respiratory tract infections and associated factors among under-five children visiting Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st to 30th April 2019, among under-five child/mother or caretaker pairs visiting Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital. Child/mother or caretaker pairs who visits outpatient department for curative care service or follow up were recruited for the study. Data were collected using a semi-structured pre-tested interviewer-guided questionnaire. Epi-info (version 7.1.2.0) was used for data entry, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, crude and adjusted odds ratios with their 95 % confidence intervals was computed. Finally, a p-value ≤ 0.05 was used to identify variables that had a significant association with acute lower respiratory infection. Result A total of 414 child/mother or caretaker pairs were recruited for the study. The magnitude of acute lower respiratory infections among under-five children was 40.3 % (95 % CI: 35.7- 44.9 %). Unvaccinated children (AOR: 2, 95 % CI, (1.27–3.16)), non-exclusive/replacement feeding (AOR: 1.85, 95 % CI, (1.18–2.91)), households mainly used unclean fuel for cooking (AOR: 2.12, 95 % CI, (1.07–4.19)), absence of separate kitchen (AOR: 1.7, 95 % CI, (1.09–2.65)), and absence of window in the kitchen room (AOR: 1.69, 95 % CI, (1.07–2.68)) showed significant association with acute lower respiratory infection. Conclusions The magnitude of acute lower respiratory tract infections among under-five children visiting outpatient department was 40.3 %. Unvaccinated children, non-exclusive/replacement feeding, using unclean fuel for cooking, absence of a separate kitchen, and absence of window in the kitchen showed significant association with acute lower respiratory infection. Therefore, special attention should be given to the environmental sanitation and family health components of health extension packages.

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in children younger than five years. Even if the burden of lower respiratory tract infections in children under-five years had decreased dramatically in the last ten years, it is still the main cause of morbidity and mortality in under five years old children in developing countries. So, this study was aimed to assess lower respiratory tract infections and associated factors among under-five children visiting Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1-30, 2019, among under-five children attended the Pediatrics outpatient department of Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital. The data was collected using a semi-structured pre-tested interviewer guided questionnaire. Epi -info (version 7.1.2.0) was used for data entry, and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, crude and adjusted odds ratio with their 95% confidence interval were computed. Finally, p-value <0.05 was used to identify variables that had a significant association with acute lower respiratory tract infection.Result: The prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infections among under-five children was 40.3% (95%CI: 35.7%- 44.9%). Unvaccinated children (AOR: 2, 95% CI, (1.27-3.16)), non-exclusive/replacement feeding (AOR: 1.85, 95% CI, (1.18-2.91)), households mainly used unclean fuel for cooking (AOR: 2.12, 95% CI, (1.07-4.19)), absence of separate kitchen (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI, (1.09-2.65)), and absence of window in the kitchen room (AOR: 1.69, 95% CI, (1.07-2.68)) showed significant association with acute lower respiratory tract infection.Conclusion: The prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infections was 40.3%. Unvaccinated children, non-exclusive/replacement feeding, households mainly used unclean fuel for cooking, absence of a separate kitchen, and absence of window in the kitchen room showed significant association with acute lower respiratory tract infection. Therefore, special attention should be given for the environmental sanitation and family health component of the health extension packages.