Predictors of thinness and improved dietary diversity among School Aged Children in Southern Ethiopia

Background. Undernutrition is one of the most widespread public health problems that affect both developed and developing countries. In Ethiopia, it is one of the factors leading to unacceptable high morbidity and mortality among women. However, little is documented on undernutrition among lactating women particularly in such a purely pastoral community. Therefore, this study was designed to assess prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among lactating women living in pastoral community of Moyale District, Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2018. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected from a random sampled 545 lactating women using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Height and weight measurements of the study participants were also taken to compute body mass index. Data were entered in to Epi info version 7 and then exported to SPSS version 21 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics like frequency, mean, and percentage were computed to describe characteristics of the sample. Multivariable analysis was carried out, association between independent and dependent variables were measured using adjusted odds ratios, and its 95% confidence interval and P value below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. This study showed that prevalence of undernutrition among lactating women was 17.7%. Dietary diversity (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.43–4.36), monthly income (AOR = 5.22, 95% CI: 1.40–19.40), extra meal taking (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.43–5.29, delivery place (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.24–5.65), and household food insecurity (AOR = 6.57, 95% CI: 3.50–12.34) were independent variables showing statistically significant association with undernutrition of lactating women. Conclusion and recommendations. The study revealed that magnitude of undernutrition among lactating women was high. Dietary diversity, monthly income, extra meal, delivery place, and household food insecurity were found to be predictor of undernutrition. Finally, we recommend that governmental and nongovernmental organizations should organize timely interventions targeting lactating women.

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Effects of Nutrition Education on Improving Knowledge and Practice of Complementary Feeding of Mothers with 6- to 23-Month-Old Children in Daycare Centers in Hawassa Town, Southern Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Randomized Control Trial

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2020/6571583 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Selam Deksiyous Muluye ◽

Tefera Belachew Lemma ◽

Tona Zema Diddana

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Randomized Control Trial ◽

Complementary Feeding ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Control Group ◽

Feeding Practice ◽

Daycare Centers ◽

Randomized Control ◽

Knowledge And Practice

Undernutrition and hidden hunger threaten the survival, growth, and development of children, young people, economies, and nations. Inappropriate complementary feeding practice due to poor maternal knowledge and awareness in combination with low income and infectious disease is the contributing factor for child undernutrition. Hence, this study was aimed at determining the effect of nutrition education on improving the knowledge and practice of complementary feeding of the mothers with 6- to 23-month old children in daycare centers of Hawassa Town, Southern Ethiopia. An institution-based randomized control trial design was employed. Daycare centers were randomly allocated for the intervention group and the control group. Among the total daycare centers in the town, five were assigned to receive nutrition education and the rest five for the control group (CG). The simple random sampling technique used to select individual participants from each daycare center. Two hundred (200) mother-child pairs (100 for each group) were recruited. Sociodemographic and economic variables were collected by the structured questionnaire. Knowledge of appropriate complementary feeding was assessed by seven knowledge questions. Appropriate complementary feeding practice was assessed by adapting Alive and Thrive Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practice guidelines. Nutrition education was given for four consecutive months by using Alive and Thrive IYCF guidelines. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software program version 20. The chi-squared test was used to test the significant differences in the proportion of good knowledge and good practice of complementary feeding and good dietary diversity between two groups. The independent t test was used to test the significant differences in mean dietary diversity between two groups. At 95% confidence interval, p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results revealed that the proportion of mothers with good knowledge of appropriate complementary feeding was increased from 59% at pretest to 96% at posttest and the appropriate complementary feeding practice was improved from 54% at pretest to 86% at posttest in IG. There was no change in the knowledge and practice of complementary feeding practice in CG after four months. The proportion of mothers with good complementary knowledge was 54% both at pretest and at posttest and good complementary feeding practice was 51% and 52% at pre- and posttest in CG, respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) on complementary feeding knowledge and practice between two groups at pretest, while the difference was highly significant (p<0.05) at the posttest. In conclusion, providing nutrition education improved the appropriate complementary feeding knowledge and practice of mothers. In recommendation, government and other partners working on sustainable child nutrition reduction should focus on the nutrition education to improve the knowledge and appropriate complementary feeding practice including daycare centers.

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Low dietary diversity and its determinants among adolescent girls in Southern Ethiopia

Cogent Food & Agriculture ◽

10.1080/23311932.2020.1832824 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 1832824

Author(s):

Yoseph Halala Handiso ◽

Tefera Belachew ◽

Cherinet Abuye ◽

Abdulhalik Workicho

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Girls ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Southern Ethiopia

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Scaled-Up Nutrition Education on Pulse-Cereal Complementary Food Practice in Ethiopia: A Cluster-Randomized Trial

10.21203/rs.2.23631/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Getenesh Berhanu Teshome ◽

Susan J. Whiting ◽

Timothy J. Green ◽

Demelash Mulualem ◽

Carol J. Henry

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Weight Status ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Complementary Food ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Control Group ◽

Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background Improving children's weight status through nutrition education (NE) for mothers about using pulses in complementary feeding has been demonstrated in pilot studies, but no effect on stunting was reported. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 9-month pulse-nutrition education program on mothers' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards pulses, as well as its impact on children's dietary diversity, and nutritional status. The NE was delivered by Health Extension Workers (HEWs). Methods A cluster randomized study was employed for the community-based interventional study. Twelve randomly selected villages in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia were included in the study. A total of 772 mother-child pairs involved in the study; where 386 mother-child pairs in the intervention group received additional messages about pulse-cereal complementary food, and 386 pairs (the control) received only routine health education for 9 months. A survey on mothers’ KAP and anthropometric measurements of the children were taken at baseline, midline, and endline. Results At baseline and endline, maternal KAP and the dietary diversity score of the children (mean age at endline 18.8 ± 2.9 mo) were assessed. Results : Intervention mothers’ KAP improved ( p <0.001) at midline and endline compared to that of the control group, as did frequency of pulse consumption and DDS among children. At 9 months, the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight was significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group ( p =0.001). Conclusions NE delivered by HEWs improved KAP of mothers regarding pulse consumption and dietary diversity of children led to improved nutritional status of the children. Training HEWs on the use of pulses for CF may be an effective way to improve the health of children in Ethiopian communities.

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Determinants of soil-transmitted helminth infections among pre-school-aged children in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia: A case-control study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0243836 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0243836

Author(s):

Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw ◽

Teklu Wegayehu ◽

Tigist Gezmu ◽

Alemayehu Bekele ◽

Zeleke Hailemariam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Water Source ◽

Case Control ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Context Specific ◽

Gamo Gofa ◽

Control Study

Background Pre-school aged children (PSAC) are highly affected by soil-transmitted helminths (STH), particularly in areas where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are inadequate. Context-specific evidence on determinants of STH infections in PSAC has not been well established in the study area. This study, therefore, aimed to fill these gaps in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A community-based unmatched case-control study, nested in a cross-sectional survey, was conducted in January 2019. Cases and controls were identified based on any STH infection status using the Kato-Katz technique in stool sample examination. Data on social, demographic, economic, behavioral, and WASH related variables were collected from primary caregivers of children using pre-tested questionnaire. Determinants of STH infections were identified using multivariable logistic regression model using SPSS version 25. Results A total of 1206 PSAC (402 cases and 804 controls) participated in this study. Our study showed that the odds of STH infection were lowest among PSAC living in urban areas (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39–0.79), among those from households with safe water source (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47–0.0.93), and in those PSAC from households with shorter distance from water source (<30 minutes) (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39–0.67). On the other hand, the odds of STH infection were highest among PSAC from households that had no functional hand washing facility (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04–1.77), in those PSAC from households that had unclean latrine (AOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.19–2.78), and among those PSAC under caregivers who had lower score (≤5) on knowledge related to STH transmission (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13–3.01). Conclusions Given efforts required eliminating STH by 2030; the existing preventive chemotherapy intervention should be substantially strengthened with WASH and behavioral interventions. Thus, an urgent call for action is required to integrate context-specific interventions, particularly in rural areas.

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Concordance of Mother-Child (6–23 Months) Dietary Diversity and Its Associated Factors in Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2021/8819846 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Tesfaye Guja ◽

Yabsira Melaku ◽

Eshetu Andarge

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Food Groups ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mothers And Children

Meeting minimum standards of dietary quality in mothers and children is a challenge in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal and child dietary diversity is associated, but little is known about the associated factors of concordance of mother-child dietary diversity in Ethiopia and none is documented in the study area. This study examines the concordance between mother-child (6–23 months) dyads dietary diversity and the associated factors in Kucha District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 791 mother-child (6–23 months) pairs from 11 selected kebeles on March 6 to April 13, 2017. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. The sampling frame was obtained from the family folder of health posts in each kebele. The mother-child pairs were selected by the simple random sampling method. The 7 food groups of the World Health Organization (WHO) for children and the 10 food groups of FANTA/FAO 2016 for mothers were used to analyze the dietary diversity. Cohen’s kappa statistics was calculated to see the strength of concordance. The multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to determine factors affecting mother-child dietary diversity concordance. A good concordance was noted between mother-child dietary diversity scores (Kappa = 0.43). Only 56 (7.1%) mothers were negative deviants, and 133 (16.8%) mothers were positive deviants in dietary diversity consumption. Rural residence (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.90–6.41), having no formal education (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.08–3.05), not owning milking cow (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.10–2.56), children with low dietary diversity (AOR = 8.23; 95% CI: 5.17–13.08), and mothers with low dietary diversity (AOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29–0.74) were found to be factors associated with mother-child dietary diversity concordance. An increase in the percentage of children reaching the minimum dietary diversity was greater with a successive increase in maternal dietary diversity. Despite interesting similarities between mothers and children dietary consumption, more than three-quarters of concordants did not achieve the recommended dietary diversity score (were low concordants). Interventions targeting on rural women’s access to high school education, home-based milking cow rearing, and promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture to meet the dietary requirements of mothers and children in a sustainable manner and public health efforts to improve child nutrition may be strengthened by promoting maternal dietary diversity due to its potential effect on the entire family.

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Do Dietary Diversity Indices Reflect the Nutritional Status of School Aged Children?

The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.21048/ijnd.2016.53.4.8399 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 405 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. J. Nithya ◽

R. V. Bhavani

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

School Children ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Good Health ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Food Groups ◽

Anthropometric Indices ◽

Nutrient Adequacy ◽

School Aged Children ◽

The Mean

Dietary Diversity, with foods from all food groups is necessary to meet the requirements for essential nutrients which lead to good health. This study examines whether different dietary diversity indices have relationship with the nutritional status of school children aged 6 to 12 years, in two different regions of India: Wardha district, Maharashtra and Koraput district, Odisha. Dietary diversity was calculated using three methods: Individual food scores calculated using 24 hour diet recall (FS24hr) data; household dietary diversity using Berry's index (DDI) and food scores calculated using food frequency data (FSFFQ). Anthropometric indices were used to assess the nutritional status of school aged children. The Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) were calculated as indicators of nutrient adequacy. The relationship between NAR, MAR and three different diversity indices, dietary diversity and anthropometric indices were analyzed. Overall, 38% of 6 to 12 year school aged children were found to be undernourished. The NAR was <70% for all nutrients except protein, energy, thiamine and niacin and MAR was found to be <70% of requirement with mean of 60.5% in both locations. The dietary diversity was found to be relatively better in Wardha when compared with Koraput. The mean diversity indices in both the locations were FS24hr 7.56, DDI 89 and FSFFQ 62.9. Overall most of the nutrient adequacy and mean adequacy were correlated with all three dietary diversity indices when both locations were studied together. However all three dietary diversity indices failed to show any relationship with nutritional status of school children aged 6-12 years from both locations taken together.

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Dietary diversity and associated factors among children 6-23 months of age in Gorche district, Southern Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-016-0764-x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Dalecha Dangura ◽

Samson Gebremedhin

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Does Anaemia Have Major Public Health Importance in Children Aged 6–59 Months in the Duggina Fanigo District of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia?

Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1159/000484324 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 3-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yohannes Samuel Tiku ◽

Tefera Chane Mekonnen ◽

Shimelash Bitew Workie ◽

Endale Amare

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Adult Life ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Blood Collection ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Public Health Importance

Background: Globally, a large number of children aged 6–59 months are affected by anaemia. In Ethiopia, like other developing countries, more than 40% of children under 5 years are affected by anaemia. Anaemia during infancy and childhood period is associated with poor health and impaired cognitive development, leading to reduced academic achievement and earning potential in their adult life. The aim of this research was to assess whether anaemia remained a major public health problem among children aged 6–59 months or not in Duggina Fanigo District of Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia in 2016. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2016, on 404 mothers with children aged 6–59 months who were selected through the systematic sampling method. Socio-demographic and other data on associated factors was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Capillary blood was taken from the fingertip of each child and hemoglobin was measured using Haemo-Cue digital photometer. All the necessary safety measures were taken during blood collection. Data analysis was made using SPSS version 21. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of independent variables with outcome variables and to control the possible confounding factors. Result: The overall prevalence of anaemia was 51.4%. Anaemia was common among young children as compared to older children. After controlling the effect of confounding and adjusting for age, gender and altitude, explanatory variables like low dietary diversity (AOR = 3.24; 95% CI [1.68–6.23]), food insecurity (AOR = 3.63; 95% CI [2.18–6.04]), stunting (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI [1.56–4.35]), underweight (AOR = 2.46; 95% CI [1.29–4.67]) and fever within 2 weeks (AOR = 2.49; 95% CI [1.29–4.81]) prior to the survey were significantly associated with anaemia. In conclusion, the overall prevalence of anaemia among children aged 6–59 months has remained a major public health importance in the study area. Integrated efforts need to be prioritized to improve the health as well as the nutritional status of children aged 6–59 months through appropriate feeding practices in infants and children.

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Concordance of mother-child (6-23 month) dietary diversity and its associated factors in Kucha district, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a community- based cross- sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.22886/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tesfaye Guja ◽

Yeabsira Melaku ◽

Eshetu Andarge

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Food Groups ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mothers And Children ◽

Gamo Gofa

Abstract Background Meeting minimum standards of dietary quality in mothers and children is a challenge in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal and child dietary diversity is associated but little is known about the associated factors of concordance of mother-child dietary diversity in Ethiopia and none is documented in the study area. This study examines the concordance between mother- child (6-23 months) dyads dietary diversity and the associated factors in Kucha district, Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 791 mother- child (6-23 months) pairs from 11 selected kebeles in March 6 to April 13, 2017. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. The sampling frame was obtained from family folder of health posts in each kebele. The mother-child pairs were selected by simple random sampling method. The 7 food groups of World Health Organization (WHO) for children and the 10 food groups of FANTA/FAO, 2016 for mothers were used to analyze the dietary diversity. Cohen’s kappa statistics was calculated to see the strength of concordance. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to determine factors affecting mother-child dietary diversity concordance. Result A good concordance was noted between mother- child dietary diversity scores (Kappa = 0.43). Only 56 (7.1%) of mothers were negative deviants and 133 (16.8%) of mothers were positive deviants in dietary diversity consumption. Rural residence (AOR =3.49; 95% CI: 1.90-6.41), mothers having no formal education (AOR= 1.8; 95% CI: 1.08-3.05, mothers who did not own milking cow (AOR= 1.7; 95% CI: 1.10-2.56),children with low diversity diversity(AOR= 8.23; 95% CI: 5.17-13.08) and mothers with low dietary diversity (AOR= 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29-0.74) were found to be factors associated with mother-child dietary diversity concordance. An increase in the percentage of children reaching the minimum dietary diversity was greater with successive increase in maternal dietary diversity. Conclusion Despite, interesting similarity between mothers and children dietary consumption, more than three quarter of concordants didn’t achieve the recommended dietary diversity score (were low concordants). Interventions targeting on rural women’s access to high school education, home based milking cow rearing and promote nutrition sensitive agriculture to meet the dietary requirements of mothers and children in a sustainable manner and public health efforts to improve child nutrition may be strengthened by promoting maternal dietary diversity due to its potential effect on the entire family.

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