Abstract:
Background: - Childhood malnutrition is a major public health problem among children in
developing countries, can affect physical and intellectual growth and is also considered as a main
cause of child morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia despite recent economic progress, nutritional
status of children is among the worst in the world and it remains major public health
problem.However, there is lack of enough information on determinants of acute malnutrition in
the study area.
Objectives: - The aim of this study was to identify determinant factors of acute malnutrition
among children aged 6-59 months in Doba district from 11 April to 08 May 2017.
Method: -A health care facility based case control study was conducted on 262 (131 cases and
131 controls)children aged 6–59 months with their respective mothers/care givers. The data were
collected by using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and mid upper arm circumference
(MUAC). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.Odds Ratio
along with 95 % confidence interval was estimated to identify determinants of acute malnutrition
(wasting)using the multivariable logistic regression. Level of statistical significance was declared
at P < 0.05.
Result: -Childhood acute malnutrition was significantly associated with mothers who have no
formal education (AOR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.27-5.50), total number of under five children in
household (AOR=4.39, 95%CI: 1.21-15.91), Pre-lacteal food received(AOR=2.58, 95%CI:
1.15-5.78) and Presence of diarrhea in the last two Weeks(AOR= 2.13, 95%CI: 1.02-4.44).
Conclusions:- Wasting was significantly associated with lack of maternal education, increasing
number of under five children, receiving pre-lacteal feeding and diarrheal illness in the previous
two weeks. Therefore, an organized effort should be made at all levels to improve child health
services, maternal education, hygiene and sanitation and family planning for birth spacing to
limit the problems of child acute malnutrition
