Abstract:
Background: Optimal feeding practices are the most important determinants of nutritional status
of children, especially at the first two years of life, which considered as “critical window of
opportunity” for prevention of growth faltering. The level of nutritional status in Ethiopia is high,
but currently showing improving trends.
Objective: To assess nutritional status and associated factors among children aged 6-23 months
attending community based nutrition program in Fedis District, Oromia Region, Eastern
Ethiopia: health facility based study
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted on 598 children aged 6-23
months from March 1, 2016 to March 30, 2016 at Fedis District. All children between the age of
6 and 23 months who attended community based nutrition (CBN) program were included in the
study. Anthropometric measurements and pre-tested structured questioners were used to collect
data. Data were entered into EPi-dat version 3.1 and WHO Anthro soft wares and exported to
SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to
identify associated factors of stunting, underweight and wasting. A p-value less than 0.05, was
considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of wasting, stunting, and underweight among children aged 6-23
months were 15.7%, 42.6 % and 29.1 % respectively. The main associated factors of wasting
were wealth index, time at child breast feed after birth, ways to feed liquid foods, and minimum
dietary diversity. As well, stunting was associated with age of mother and child, sex of child,
place of residence, deprivation from colostrum and ways to feed liquid foods. Whereas, age of
child, sex of child, suffered from any illness or infection during past two weeks, feeding
colostrum, ways to feed liquid foods and minimum dietary diversity were significantly
associated with underweight.
Conclusions and recommendation: the prevalence of undernutrition is a critical and main
public health problems among children aged of 6-23 months in Fedis District. Therefore, all
sectors should be considered for all nutrition interventions with particular emphasis on the first
1,000 days after child’s birth, which is a critical period inhuman life.
