Work

Determinants of acute malnutrition among 6 to 59-months children in public health facilities

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background Acute malnutrition is a nutritional insufficiency resulting from either inadequate energy or protein intake. It is categorized into severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition. Globally, acute malnutrition is still a prevalent public health issue. Objective To identify determinants of acute malnutrition among 6 to 59-month-old children in public health facilities. Methods and materials A hospital-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted from 1 st March to 30 th April 2023. Three hundred ninety (130 cases and 260 controls) participants were included in the study. Data was collected using pretested, semi-structured questionnaires by using Kobo Collect. The analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Both bi-variable and multivariable logistic regressions were done. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine levels of significance. All variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were declared as determinants of acute malnutrition. Results In this study, estimated average family income, 1001–5000 Ethiopian birr (AOR=3.32, 95%CI=1.27, 8.72), 5001–10000 Ethiopian birr (AOR=3.82, 95%CI=1.56, 9.36), family size ≥5 (AOR=2.33, 95%CI=1.33, 4.084), private employee (AOR=4.62, 95%CI=2.18, 9.76), government employee (AOR=3.77, 95%CI=1.69, 8.42), non-governmental organization employee (AOR= 17.14, 95%CI=2.53, 16.27), food insecurity (AOR=1.46, 95%CI=1.08,1.97), bottle-feeding (AOR=2.64, 95%CI=1.22,5.68), and lack of latrines (AOR=3.30, 95%CI=1.04, 10.49) were identified as determinants of acute malnutrition. Conclusion Estimated average family income, family size, lack of latrine, maternal or caregiver occupation, food security status, and bottle feeding were all predictors of acute malnutrition in this study. Promoting exclusive breastfeeding, raising awareness about the health issues of bottle-feeding and open defecation, improving access to clean water and sanitation, strengthening healthcare systems, and encouraging collaboration among agencies can effectively address acute malnutrition.

Source: Clinical Nutrition Open Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.nutos.2024.12.004

Authors: Abdilahi Ibrahim Muse, Mohamed Omar Osman, Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim

Institution: Jigjiga University

Language: English

Topic: Child Nutrition and Water Access

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger, No poverty, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,200