Nina Berr1, Yemisrach Nigatu2, Nebiyu Dereje3. 1. Department of Medicine, Myungsung Medical College/Myungsung Christian Medical Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 2. Department of Public Health, Myungsung Medical College/Myungsung Christian Medical Center, P.O.Box 14972, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 3. Department of Public Health, Myungsung Medical College/Myungsung Christian Medical Center, P.O.Box 14972, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. neba.jahovy@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Childhood undernutrition is a global problem contributing to more than a third of under-five mortality. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) fare worse than children living with their parents. However, the nutritional and healthcare needs of OVC are under-recognized in Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among OVC aged 6 to 59 months. Multi-stage sampling technique was applied to select the households and eligible children included in the study (n = 584). An interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were carried out. The proportions of stunting, wasting and underweight were determined based on the WHO Z-score cut-off. Factors associated with stunting were identified by Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 35.1% (95% CI; 31.3-39.1%), 4.7% (95% CI; 3.2-6.7%) and 12.0% (95% CI; 9.6-14.9%), respectively. Stunting was significantly associated with initiation of complementary feeding after 12 months of age (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI 1.16-14.11), household food insecurity (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.10-3.17), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.03-3.42), age ≥ 2 years (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.25-2.67), caretaker's age ≤ 25 years (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.03-2.16) and employment of the caretaker (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.03-2.26). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of all forms of undernutrition among OVC was significantly higher than the national estimate that has been reported by consecutive Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). Policy makers and programmers working on nutritional interventions should give due emphasis to address the unmet need of OVC and focus on interventions which enhance household food security and caretaker's awareness on child feeding and pregnancy planning.
BACKGROUND:Childhood undernutrition is a global problem contributing to more than a third of under-five mortality. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) fare worse than children living with their parents. However, the nutritional and healthcare needs of OVC are under-recognized in Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among OVC aged 6 to 59 months. Multi-stage sampling technique was applied to select the households and eligible children included in the study (n = 584). An interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were carried out. The proportions of stunting, wasting and underweight were determined based on the WHO Z-score cut-off. Factors associated with stunting were identified by Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 35.1% (95% CI; 31.3-39.1%), 4.7% (95% CI; 3.2-6.7%) and 12.0% (95% CI; 9.6-14.9%), respectively. Stunting was significantly associated with initiation of complementary feeding after 12 months of age (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI 1.16-14.11), household food insecurity (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.10-3.17), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.03-3.42), age ≥ 2 years (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.25-2.67), caretaker's age ≤ 25 years (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.03-2.16) and employment of the caretaker (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.03-2.26). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of all forms of undernutrition among OVC was significantly higher than the national estimate that has been reported by consecutive Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). Policy makers and programmers working on nutritional interventions should give due emphasis to address the unmet need of OVC and focus on interventions which enhance household food security and caretaker's awareness on child feeding and pregnancy planning.
Authors: Paula Braitstein; Samuel Ayaya; Winstone M Nyandiko; Allan Kamanda; Julius Koech; Peter Gisore; Lukoye Atwoli; Rachel C Vreeman; Corey Duefield; David O Ayuku Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-07-26 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Jenny Ruducha; Carlyn Mann; Neha S Singh; Tsegaye D Gemebo; Negussie S Tessema; Angela Baschieri; Ingrid Friberg; Taddese A Zerfu; Mohammed Yassin; Giovanny A Franca; Peter Berman Journal: Lancet Glob Health Date: 2017-11 Impact factor: 26.763