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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Anemia | Research article

Multiple anthropometric and nutritional deficiencies in young children in Ethiopia: a multi-level analysis based on a nationally representative data

Authors: Nigatu Regassa Geda, Cindy Xin Feng, Carol J. Henry, Rein Lepnurm, Bonnie Janzen, Susan J. Whiting

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

In Ethiopia, child undernutrition and anemia are major public health concerns, resulting in increased childhood morbidity and mortality. Despite progress made to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition (especially stunting) from 50% in 2000 to 38% in 2016, little is known about the magnitude and risk factors for concurrent nutritional deficiencies in Ethiopia.

Methods

Analysis for this study was based on a total sample of 9218 children aged 6–59 months drawn from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) conducted in the year 2016. The study used two outcome variables: Multiple nutrition deficit index formed by combining stunting, underweight, wasting and anemia status; and a concurrent stunting and anemia (CAS) index. Two mixed effect regression models, Poisson and Logistic, were used to identify the key risk factors of the two outcome variables, respectively.

Results

The proportion of children with stunting (length-for-age), underweight (weight-for-age) and wasting children (weight-for-length) was 38%, 25.2% and 9.4%, respectively. About 58% of the children had anemia. The prevalence of children with concurrent stunting and anemia children was 24.8%. Our results showed that the risks of multiple nutritional problems were determined by a range of individual, household and behavioral factors including: sex of the child, age of the child, birth order, parity, parental education, religion, household wealth index and type of family structure. The proximate variables (hygiene and sanitation score, feeding practice, and child health service utilization score) were also found to exert a strong influence on the risk of multiple nutritional deficiencies. The likelihood of co-occurrence of stunting and anemia was determined by certain individual and household factors, including sex of the child, age of the child, maternal education, household asset based wealth, religion and household hygiene and sanitation.

Conclusions

This study underscores the importance of improving parental education, household wealth, hygiene and sanitation conditions, promoting feeding practice and child health service utilization. Also, any nutrition sensitive and specific intervention should consider a child’s characteristics such as his/her age, gender and birth order.

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Title: Multiple anthropometric and nutritional deficiencies in young children in Ethiopia: a multi-level analysis based on a nationally representative data
Authors: Nigatu Regassa Geda
Cindy Xin Feng
Carol J. Henry
Rein Lepnurm
Bonnie Janzen
Susan J. Whiting
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Anemia
Nutrition
Underweight
Underweight
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02467-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Multiple anthropometric and nutritional deficiencies in young children in Ethiopia: a multi-level analysis based on a nationally representative data

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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