ACUTE MALNUTRITION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG CHILDREN 6-59 MONTHS OF AGE IN PASTORALIST COMMUNITIES OF GURSUM DISTRICT, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, EASTERN ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Background: Acute malnutrition is a short-term response to inadequate nutritional intake that often occur in combination with infection. It is one of the most serious public health problem especially in the developing world. High acute malnutrition rates pose to a significant child morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about malnutrition in low–income countries like Ethiopia particularly among children of pastoral communities. Objective: To assess the prevalence of acute malnutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months at pastoralist communities of Gursum district, Somali region, eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross sectional study design was used from March 1-15, 2019 among 403 children aged 6-59 months and their mothers/care givers in pastoralist communities of Gursum district. Simple random sampling method was used to select kebeles. Systematic sampling was used to select study participants. Anthropometric measurements and structured questionnaires was used to collect data. Data were processed using EPi-data software and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, proportion, and numerical summary measures was used and presented in tables. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses was carried out to see the association between each independent variable with the outcome variable. Odds ratio along 95% confident interval were estimated to measure strength of association. Level of statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Result: The prevalence of acute malnutrition was 23.6%, 95% CI :( 19.9%, 27.8%). Lack of ante natal care visit [AOR=3.30; 95% CI: (1.04, 10.42)], having more than one under five children in the house [AOR=5.69; 95% CI: (2.45, 13.20)], poor minimum dietary diversity [AOR=3.56; 95% CI: (1.20, 10.61)], presence of diarrhea [AOR=2.73; 95% CI: (1.53, 4.87)], and vomiting [AOR=3.14; 95% CI: (1.53, 6.42)] two weeks prior to the survey were significantly and positively associated with acute malnutrition. Conclusion: The prevalence of acute malnutrition is very high in the study setting. Factors associated with acute malnutrition were lack of ante natal care visit, having more than one under five child in the household, poor minimum dietary diversity, presence of diarrhea and vomiting two weeks prior to the survey. Hence; adequate attention should be given to raise the awareness of the community regarding family planning usage to limit fertility, latrine construction and safe water consumption to control diarrheal disease, importance of antenatal care and diversifying of meals thereby to address the burden of acute malnutrition.