UNDERNUTRITION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG FULL CYCLE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PASTORAL COMMUNITIES, MULU DISTRICT, SITI ZONE, SOMALI REGION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Undernutrition is the disturbance of body form or function arising from dietary imbalance between body demand and supply. Globally, more than 200 million schoolchildren were undernourished. Despite the advocacy, there is paucity of information on nutritional status of primary school children in pastoral communities to design appropriate nutrition intervention. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among full cycle primary school children in pastoral communities, Mulu district, Siti zone, Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design was used. The final sample size of this study was 690. Study participants were selected using two stage sampling procedure. Trained data collectors were collect the data by using structured, translated and pretested questionnaire. Weight and height were measured using calibrated digital scale and seca rod stadiometer respectively. Microscopic identification of intestinal parasites was done. The data were doubled entered into Epi-data version 3.02. It was exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 20.0 software for analysis. Anthro-plus version 1.0.4 software was used to generate anthropometric indices. Collinearity between covariates was checked using variance of inflation factor. Model adequacy was assessed using Hosmer and Lemeshow test of goodness of fit (p >0.05). Level of statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Result: The magnitude of thinness and stunting were 13.1% [95% CI: 10.6%, 15.7%] and 24.6% [95% CI: 21.3%, 27.9%] respectively. Being male [AOR=1.86; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.09], not using bed net [AOR=4.22; 95% CI: 2.52, 7.03] and intestinal parasitic infection [AOR= 2.25; 95% CI: 1.36, 3.73] increase the likelihood of thinness. However, managing domestic waste in the pit [AOR= 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.96] or by burning [AOR= 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.91] decrease the likelihood of thinness. Family size < 5 [AOR= 2.14; 95% CI; 1.20, 3.81], household food insecurity [AOR=2.79; 95% CI: 1.81, 4.31], unavailability of latrine [AOR=2.21; 95% CI: 1.48, 3.29], age 14-17 years [AOR= 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.95] and management of domestic waste in the pit [AOR= 0.36; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.63] were significantly associated with the occurrence of stunting. Conclusion: This study revealed that, stunting and thinness are moderate and serious public health problems respectively. Household food insecurity, intestinal parasitic infection, site of waste disposal and availability of latrine were some of the major factors significantly associated with undernutrition. Focused public health education on schoolchildren nutritional requirements, proper management of domestic wastes, school based deworming and improving household food insecurity will benefit children.