Seasonal variation in the prevalence of acute undernutrition among children under five years of age in east rural Ethiopia: a longitudinal study

Abstract

BackgroundMalnutrition is a deficiency state of both macro and micronutrients (under - nutrition) and their over consumption (over- nutrition) causing measurable adverse effects on human body structure and function, resulting in specific physical and clinical outcomes. Little has been known about the seasonal variation in the magnitude of acute child under-nutrition and its determinants in low and middle-income countries making difficult the choice of a better nutrition intervention. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of acute under-nutrition and its associated factors on children aged 6 to 36 months in east rural Ethiopia in wet and dry seasons.MethodsA longitudinal study was conducted on children aged 6 to 36 months and their mothers (mother–child pairs) from July/August 2010/2011 to January/ February 2011/2012 in east rural Ethiopia. Data were collected from 2,132 mother–child pairs using a pretested structured questionnaire and the UNICEF recommended anthropometric measuring instruments after standardization. The Odds Ratio with 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify the predictors of acute child under nutrition (wasting) using a conditional fixed- effects logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence of acute child under-nutrition was 7.4%; 95% CI: (6.3%, 8.5%) in wet and 11. 2%; 95% CI: (9.8%, 12.5%) in dry seasons. Child wasting was more common among children of poor households who had no cooperative bank saving accounts [AOR (95% CI) = 8.2. (1.8, 37.6)], and access to health facilities [AOR (95% CI) = 2.2 (1.4, 3.6)].ConclusionAcute child under-nutrition was relatively higher in the dry season. Although season was not significantly associated with child under - nutrition, poverty and poor access to health services were important predictors of wasting in the study setting. Thus, effective community–based nutrition interventions that require a multi - disciplinary approach should be scaled up to curb childhood under-nutrition.

How important are community characteristics in influencing children׳s nutritional status? Evidence from Malawi population-based household and community surveys

“…Children are more likely to be stunted in the harvest season (March-August) compared to the lean season (September-February). Although this pattern is unexpected, the findings are in line with studies that report better nutritional status in a wet season compared to dry season (Bechir et al, 2010;Egata et al, 2013) since the harvest season in Malawi is dry whilst the lean season is wet. It is therefore possible that although during the wet season there is less maize (the staple food) and other agricultural produce, the abundance of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A and C that naturally grow with the rains could be supporting the nutritional needs of children in Malawi and contributing to the relatively better nutritional status of children during this season.…”

Prevalence of Undernutrition and Its Associated Factors among Children below Five Years of Age in Bure Town, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia

“…In this study, prevalence of wasting was 11.1%. This is comparable with studies reported in Nigeria [28], was 9.5%, Vietnam [24], was 10.2%, Nigeria [30], was 8.5%, and eastern rural Ethiopia [31], was 7.4%, and the 2011 EDHS report [15], in which it was 10%.…”

Correlation between Agricultural Biodiversity, Dietary Diversity, Household Food Security and Associated Factors of Wasting among 6-59 Months old Children in Ambassel Woreda, North East Ethiopia

“…This might be because; educated mother will have good exposure on the promotion of good feeding practices of their children. But, this nding disagree with a study done in East rural Ethiopia, which states that educational status of mother had no any association with child under nutrition (31). This difference might be mother/care-givers in the rural parts of Ethiopia will have good access for nutrition education on appropriate feeding practices through health extension programs.…”