Abstract:

Background: Childhood undernutrition is a global health challenge impacting child growth and survival rates, contributing to future increased chronic disease prevalence, and reducing individual and national economic productivity. Childhood undernutrition is embedded within the complexities of intersectoral and multilevel interfaces related to food security and equities in health. Identifying the determinants of undernutrition among such children would help public health planners to reshape and redesign new interventions to reduce this health hazard. This study aimed to identify factors associated with among under-fives children
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Methods: This was a prospective study which was conducted from September to December 2021. This study involved children aged 1 to 5 years that were admitted due to medical conditions other than under-nutrition.

Results: A total of 344 participants were enrolled in the study. Out of 344 participants, 146(42.4%) were females. The median age was 2yearsThe prevalence of undernutrition were 187(53.4%). Out of 187 who had under-nutrition 137(83.5%) had chronic undernutrition (stunting). Factors associated with under-nutrition were age, vaccination status and source of water (OR = 0.18, 95 % CI = 0.012 – 2.65 p = < 0.001, OR = 2.1; 95 % CI = 1.65 – 2.6; p = <0.001. OR = 5.6; 95%CI = 3.1 – 10.0; p = < 0.001); respectively.

Conclusion. These findings indicate the need for interventions at both the individual and community levels. Peer-based community interventions including peer-education, where older and more experienced women could educate these young mothers about appropriate child feeding practices aimed at long-term prevention of undernutrition.