Undernutrition and associated factors in orphan children aged 6-59 months in Gambella Southwest, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and associated factors in orphaned children under 5 years old.
DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.
SETTING: Gambella City, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 419 under 5 orphaned children included in the study. Eligible households with orphans had selected using a systematic random sampling method. The lottery method was used when more than one eligible study participants live in the household. An OR with 95% CI was performed to measure the strength of association between each dependent variable and independent variables. Variables with p<0.05 were declared statistically significant. PRIMARY OUTCOME: The main outcome of this study was the prevalence of undernutrition among orphaned under 5 and its associated factors.
RESULTS: Prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight in orphan children under 5 were 12.2%, 37.8% and 21.7%, respectively. The prevalnce of wasting peaks among age group of 36-47 months (42.5%), whereas underweight peaks in 48-59 months (27.7%). Food insecurity, wealth index, family size, vitamin A supplementation, diarrhoea, fever 2 weeks before the survey, children under 5 and parents' death were associated with undernutrition.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among orphan children under 5 was significantly high. Multisectoral collaborative efforts towards access to health services, improving income-generating activities, micronutrient supplementation and social support and protection targeting orphan and vulnerable populations have to be built up. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

The study conducted at the community level, and the information can be generalised to the population.

This study used a multivariate logistic regression analysis to control all potential confounders.

This study had anthropometric measurement error, social desirability bias and recall bias.

The problem of reverse causality is an important limitation of this study.

Besides, ORs were likely to be overestimated because of the high prevalence of outcome of interests.

INTRODUCTION

Undernutrition in children under 5 remains a top public health problem of developing countries.1 Undernutrition results from inadequate intake of micro and macronutrients and is classified as stunting, wasting, underweight and micronutrient deficiencies.2 3 In 2018, nearly 149 million under 5 children were stunted,3 and over three-fourth of under 5 deaths were caused by undernutrition.4 The UNICEF and global partners defined an orphan as a child aged under 18 years and lost either a parent.5 In 2015, nearly 140 million orphan children lived globally, and most orphans live in Asia and Africa. Of the total orphan children, 61 million and 52 million orphans live in Asia and Africa, respectively.5 The burden of orphans is highest in sub-Saharan Africa as compared with other regions of the world. Twelve per cent of sub-Saharan African children are orphans.6 In Ethiopia, there are 5 million orphan children, of which 1.5 million are because of HIV/AIDS.7 In Ethiopia, prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting among the general population was 38%, 24% and 10 %, respectively.8 Study findings in northwest Ethiopia showed that the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among orphan children was 45.7%, 27.8% and 9.9%, respectively.9 Likewise, a study done in southern Ethiopia indicated that the prevalence of wasting among orphan children was 11.1%.10 In the general population, malnutrition arises from complex and interlinked factors classified as basic, underlying and immediate causes.11 Natural disasters, war, conflict, diseases, poor health services, lack of health infrastructure, poverty and migration are causes of orphanhood.12 In Ethiopia, poverty, HIV/AIDS, war, food insecurity, conflict, natural disaster and malaria are significant causes of orphanhood.9 Orphan children have a more significant burden of malnutrition, deprived of adequate access to health services, education, protection, psychological support and emotional attachment, and they are more exposed to ill-treatment, abuse, engagement in unsafe work and human trafficking.6 12 13 Orphan children also have poor health, reduced cognitive and emotional development, decreased physical growth and a high school dropout rate compared with nonorphan children.13–15 Identifying and addressing macro and micronutrient deficiency in resource-poor settings essential to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, improve population health, ensure optimum physical growth and mental development. However, previous research focuses on the nutritional status of the general population and associated factors,16–21 and information on the prevalence of undernutrition and its predictors among orphan children in Ethiopia is limited. Hence, the main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors, and the evidence produced from the study will help policymakers, government and nongovernmental organisations to design context-specific interventions.

Methods and materials

Study design, period and setting

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from January to March 2018 in Gambella Town, Gambella Peoples Region, Southwest Ethiopia. Gambella town is the Gambella region’s capital city, which is located 766 km away from the southwest of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. According to the central statistical agency, the town has 2 07 000 men and 1 89 000 women.22

Study participants and sampling procedure

According to the Gambella city women, children and youth office report, there were a total of 7521 orphan children 6–59 months living in the city. The study population was all orphan children aged 6–59 months living in Gambella town. Orphan children aged 6–59 months paired with caregivers or guardians living for at least 6 months in Gambella town included in the study. The town has five kebeles, and the sample size was allocated proportionally to each kebele. A systematic sampling technique was used to select study participants, and women, children and youth office registration books were used as the sampling frame. When two or more orphans were lived in the household, one orphan was selected using the lottery method. Orphan or caregiver who was sick during data collection was excluded from the study. The minimum sample size of the study was calculated using single population proportion formula with the following assumptions: prevalence of stunting (45.7%), underweight (27.8%), wasting (9.9%),9 95% of CI, 5% precision and 10% nonresponse rate. Finally, a large sample size (419) of orphans were taken for the study.

Data collection methods and tools

Data were collected through the home to home visit, and each caregiver or guardian had provided informed written consent. Data on sociodemographic variables were collected from the guardian or caregiver using pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaires adapted from previous studies.9 18 19 23 24 The age of the children was taken from the caregiver’s verbal report. Anthropometric measurement of height/length and weight of children was measured to assess the nutritional status of the children. Length of the children aged 6–23 months was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm by UNICEF length board with movable headpiece, while a child was in the recumbent position and child’s head, shoulder, back, buttock and heel were against length board. The height of children aged 24–59 months was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a wooden board at a standing position, barefooted and bareheaded. Weight was measured using UNICEF salter scale to the nearest 0.1 Kg and a 2 kg standard iron weight was used to calibrate the weight scale. Household food security was assessed using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale validated tool developed by Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance. The tool has nine occurrence questions followed by nine frequency of occurrence questions that measure the severity of household food insecurity in the past 4 weeks.25 Wealth index data were collected using information from ownerships available assets; animal, agricultural land, radio, television, refrigerator, car, bicycle, cart, gold, sofa, source of water, availability of electric city, type of toilet and household characteristics; type of wall, floor and ceiling.8 This study was conducted following the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki’s ethical principles for human subject research.26

Variables of the study

Dependent variables

The dependent variable is malnutrition, described in terms of stunting, wasting and underweight status.

Independent variables

In this study, independent variables considered for regression analysis were selected from previous similar studies.9 24 27–30 The variables such as age and sex of a child, number of children under 5, family size, educational status of caregiver, occupational status of caregiver, marital status of the caregiver, caregiver relationship, age of caregiver, orphan status, socioeconomic status, food security, taking vitamin A supplementation, vaccination, source of water, availability of latrine, waste disposal system, handwashing after toilet, a child with a history of fever, cough or diarrhoea 2 weeks before the survey were considered independent variables. In this study, vaccination a child aged 9–12 months who received all essential childhood vaccines; Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), polio, pentavalent (Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenza, and hepatitis B vaccine) and measles or child aged less than 9 months who received essential childhood vaccines except measles.

Theoretical, conceptual model

The theoretical, conceptual framework of how orphan children lead to malnutrition is developed from the UNICE conceptual framework of malnutrition in the general population and other similar works of the literature. The theoretical framework hypothesised that the factors associated with orphan children under 5 malnutrition classified as basic, underlying and proximal factors. As indicated in figure 1, the distal factors; socio-economic status, death of a parent, family size, educational and occupational status of caregiver number of under 5, may lead to intermediate factors; insufficient food, inadequate healthcare, lack of safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation, which in turn result in reduced dietary intake and infections; fever, diarrhoea and cough lead to undernutrition (stunting, wasting and underweight).

Figure 1

Theoretical framework for investigating the association between orphan children under 5 and malnutrition in Gambella Southwest Ethiopia, 2018.

Measurement

Stunting

Length/height for age < −2 SD of the WHO child growth standard median.31

Wasting

Weight for height < −2 SD of the WHO child growth standards median.31

Underweight

Weight for age < −2 SD of the WHO child growth standards median.31

Food secure

When the household had no experience of food insecurity conditions or only experience rarely worry in the past 4 weeks.32

Food insecure

Household experiences at least mild food insecurity condition in the past 4 weeks.32

Wealth index

Wealth index is a proxy indicator of study participant living standards derived from owners’ available assets and household characteristics. Wealth index was constructed using principal component analysis (PCA) and wealth score was classified into terciles; poor, medium and rich wealth index.8

Data quality control

Initially, the data collection tool prepared in English was translated into the local language and translated back to English for consistency. Before commencement of actual data collection, a pretest had done on 5% of the study sample, and data collectors and supervisors were trained for 2 days. Then, two independent data clerks entered the data to check the consistency.

Statistical analysis

First, data were checked for completeness and accuracy. Then, data were coded and entered into Epi Data V.3.1 software and exported to SPSS V.22 software for analysis. PCA was used to construct a household wealth index, and the household wealth score was classified into terciles; poor, medium and rich. Nutritional indices; height for age Z score, height for weight Z score and weight for age Z score were determined based on the WHO 2006 child growth standards.31 The WHO Anthros 2005 Software V.3.2.2 was used to calculate SD scores or Z score, and children were classified into stunted (HAZ <−2 SD Z scores), underweight (WAZ <−2 SD Z scores) and wasted (WHZ <−2 SD Z scores).

Multicollinearity between predictor variables was checked using SE, and the variable with SE ≥0.2 was dropped from the analysis. Bivariable logistic regression analysis was used to see the association between each predictor with outcomes of interest (stunting, wasting and underweight). Variable with a p value <0.25 during bivariable analysis was considered a candidate for multivariate logistic regression analysis to control all possible confounders and identify stunting, wasting and underweight predictors. Final regression models were built using backward elimination of variables with backward likelihood ratio 0.1 probability of removal and the variable with p value ≤0.05 retained in the final model. The goodness of fit for the final regression models was checked by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test with a p value of ≥0.05 considered a good fit. Final models of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test of stunting, wasting and underweight were 0.56, 0.11 and 0.7, respectively. The adjusted OR and 95% CIs were used to measure the strength of association, and statistical significance was declared at p value <0.05.

Patient and public involvement

Patients and the public were not involved in the design, conduct of the study, choice of outcome measures and recruitment of the study. Also, patients and the public were not involved in selecting reporting methods and disseminating the study results.

Results

Characteristics of study participants

A total of 410 orphans-caregiver paired were participated in the study, making a response rate of 97.8%, and more than half, 219 (53.4), were female orphans. The mean (±SD) age of children was 32 (±15) months, and the majority, 226 (55.1), of orphans were in the age group of 24–59 months. The majority of 346 (84.4%) orphans was double orphans, and nearly three-fourth 299 (73%) of orphan children lived with guardians or relatives. The majority, 363 (88.5%) orphan children, lived with a family size of four and above. Slightly more than one-third, 136 (33.2%) orphans, had a history of cough before the survey, whereas about 144 (35.1%) of orphan children had experienced a history of cough and fever 2 weeks before the survey. About 209 (51%) of the respondents had formal education (table 1).

Table 1

Sociodemographic characteristics of orphan children aged 6–59 months caregiver paired in Gambella Town, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=410)

Variables	Frequency n (%)
Child age (in months)
6–11	86 (21.0)
12–23	98 (23.9)
24–35	103 (25.1)
36–47	85 (20.7)
48–59	38 (9.3)
6–23	184 (44.9)
24–59	226 (55.1)
Child sex
Male	191 (46.6)
Female	219 (53.4)
Number of under 5 in the household
<2	290 (70.7)
≥2	120 (29.3)
Family size
≤3	47 (11.5)
4–6	256 (62.4)
≥7	107 (26.1)
Respondent religion
Orthodox	63 (15.1)
Muslim	58 (14.1)
Protestant	50 (12.1)
Catholic	239 (58.3)
Ethnicity
Nuewer	173 (42.2)
Agnwake	91 (22.2)
Oromo	68 (16.6)
Tiger	24 (6.1)
Amhara	54 (12.9)
Sex of respondent
Male	92 (22.4)
Female	318 (77.6)
Educational status of the caregiver
No formal education	201 (49.0)
Primary education	81 (19.8)
Secondary and above	128 (31.2)
Occupation of respondent
Housewife	112 (27.3)
Employed	111 (27.1)
Merchant	144 (35.1)
Daily worker	43 (10.5)
Marital status of the respondent
Single	61 (14.9)
Married	225 (54.9)
Widowed	89 (21.9)
Divorced	35 (8.5)
Caregiver/respondent relationship
Parent	59 (14.4)
Grandparent	26 (6.3)
Guardian/relatives	299 (73.0)
Brother/sister	26 (6.3)
Age of respondent
≤ 30	66 (16.1)
30-40	125 (30.5)
41-50	99 (24.1)
≥50	120 (29.3)
One biological parent live
Yes	64 (14.6)
No	346 (84.4)
Socioeconomic status
Poor	195 (47.6)
Medium	105 (25.6)
Rich	110 (26.8)
Household food security status
Food secure	307 (74.9)
Food insecure	103 (25.1)
A child with a history of fever 2 weeks before the survey
Yes	136 (33.2)
No	274 (66.8)
A child with a history of diarrhoea 2 weeks before the survey
Yes	196 (47.8)
No	214 (52.2)
A child taking vitamin supplementation
Yes	298(72.7)
No	112 (27.3)
Child received vaccination
Yes	54 (13.2)
No	230 (56.1)
Do not know	126 (30.7)
A child has a history of cough 2 weeks before the survey.
Yes	144 (35.1)
No	266 (64.9)

Water, sanitation and hygiene characteristics

The majority 350 (85%) households had access to a piped water, and about 375 (91.5%) households had latrines, of which 238 (58%) households had pit latrine. Furthermore, 315 (77%) of the household had handwashing facilities. More than two-third, 282 (69%), were used pits as domestic waste disposal systems (table 2).

Table 2

Water, sanitation and hygiene characteristics of a caregiver of orphan children aged 6–59 months in Gambella Town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2018 (n=410)

Variables	Frequency n (%)
Source of water
Pipe	279 (68.0)
Public stand	131 (32.0)
Method of water storage
Pot	34 (8.3)
Jerrican/plastic container	376 (91.7)
Hand washing after toilet
Yes	315 (76.8)
No	95 (23.2)
Latrine availability
Yes	375 (91.5)
No	35 (8.5)
Type of latrine
Private pit	123 (30.0)
Pit	238 (58.0)
Water carriage	49 (12.0)
Waste disposal system
Pit	282 (68.8)
Open	118 (28.8)
Municipality	10 (2.4)
Separated kitchen
Yes	288 (70)
No	122 (30)

Prevalence of undernutrition

The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 12.2% (95% CI 8.5 to 14.4), 37.8% (95% CI 33.4 to 42.2) and 21.7% (95% CI 18.0 to 25.9), respectively. Of which 4.9% (95% CI 2.5 to 7.3), 5.1% (95% CI 2.9 to 7.3) and 3.9% (95% CI 2.2 to 5.6) was severely stunted, wasted and underweight, respectively. More male orphans were stunted than females 14.7% (95% CI 9.4 to 19.9) and 8.2% (95% CI 4.6 to 12.3), respectively, whereas wasting was slightly higher among female orphans than male orphans, 39.3% (95% CI 32.9 to 45.1) versus 36.1% (95% CI 28.3 to 42.9). Prevalence of wasting and underweight was higher among orphan between age group 36–47 months, 42.5% (95% CI 31.8 to 52.9), 27.7% (95% CI 15.3 to 34.1), respectively (figure 2).

Figure 2

Prevalence of undernutrition by age category among orphaned children 6–59 months in Gambella Town, Southwest Ethiopia, 2018.

Factors associated with stunting, wasting and underweight

During bivariable logistic regression analysis, educational status, food insecurity, family size, number of under 5, wealth index, occupation, vitamin A supplementation and orphan status were associated with stunting and candidate for multivariable analysis. After adjustment, orphan status, family size, food insecurity, wealth index, number of children under 5 and vitamin A supplementation were associated with stunting (table 3).

Table 3

Factors associated with stunting among orphaned children aged 6–59 months in Gambella Town, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=410)

Variables	Stunted N (%)	Normal N (%)	COR (95% CI)	AOR (95% CI)
Educational status of husband
No formal education	30 (14.9)	171 (85.1)	3.6 (1.4 to 8.8)	2.4 (0.8 to 7.2)
Primary	11 (13.6)	70 (86.4)	3.2 (1.1 to 9.0)	2.1 (0.6 to 7.1)
≥Secondary	6 (4.7)	122 (95.3)	Reference	Reference
HHFI status
Secure	22 (8.2)	285 (92.8)	Reference	Reference
Insecure	79 (76.7)	24 (23.3)	3.9 (2.1 to 7.4)	2.7 (1.3 to 5.8)*
Family size
<4	10 (5.2)	184 (94.8)	Reference	Reference
≥4	36 (16.7)	180 (83.3)	3.2 (1.6 to 6.5)	3.0 (1.3 to 6.9)*
Number under 5
<3	19 (6.6)	271 (93.4)	0.24 (0.13 to 0.46)	0.25 (0.1 to 0.5)*
3–5	27 (22.5)	93 (77.5)	Reference	Reference
Wealth index
Poor	35 (17.9)	160 (82.1)	11.8 (2.8 to 50.1)	10.4 (2.2 to 48.3)*
Medium	9 (8.6)	96 (91.4)	5.0 (1.0 to 24.0)	4.0 (0.8 to 21.2)
Rich	2 (1.8)	108 (98.2)	Reference	Reference
Caregiver occupation
Housewife	19 (16.8)	94 (83.2)	0.7 (0.3 to 1.8)	1.3 (0.5 to 3.0)
Employed	8 (7.2)	103 (91.1)	0.3 (0.1 to 0.8)	0.9 (0.3 to 2.8)
Merchant	11 (7.6)	133 (92.4)	0.3 (0.1 to 0.8)	0.4 (0.1 to 1.5)
Daily worker	9 (20.9)	34 (79.1)	Reference	Reference
Taking vitamin A
Yes	22 (7.4)	276 (92.6)	Reference	Reference
No	24 (21.4)	88 (78.6)	3.4 (1.8 to 6.4)	3.2 (1.5 to 6.7)*
Orphan status
Single	5 (6.2)	60 (93.0)	0.4 (0.2 to 0.8)	0.3 (0.1 to 0.8)*
Double	51 (14.8)	295 (85.2)	Reference	Reference

*p-value<0.05.

AOR, adjusted OR; COR, crude OR; HHFI, Household Food Insecurity.

On the other hand, family size, food insecurity, wealth index, vitamin A supplementation, fever and history of diarrhoea had an association with wasting. However, in multivariable logistic regression analysis, only wealth index, fever and vitamin A supplement status were significantly associated with wasting (table 4). In bivariable analysis, children under 5, family size, food security, wealth index, vitamin A supplementation, diarrhoea and fever were associated with underweight. However, in multivariable analysis, family size, wealth index, vitamin A supplementation and diarrhoea had a significant association (table 5).

Table 4

Factors associated with wasting among OC aged 6–59 months in Gambella Town, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=410)

Variables category	Wasted N (%)	Normal (%)	COR (95% CI)	AOR (95% CI)
Family size
<4	63 (32.5)	131 (67.5)	Reference	Reference
≥4	92 (42.6)	124 (57.4)	1.5 (1.0, 2.3)	1.5 (0.9, 2.2)
Diarrhoea
Yes	87 (44.4)	109 (55.6)	1.7 (1.1, 2.6)	1.4 (0.9, 2.2)
No	68 (31.8)	146 (68.2)	Reference	Reference
Fever
Yes	62 (45.6)	74 (54.4)	1.6 (1.0, 2.5)	1.6 (1.0, 2.5)*
No	93 (33.9)	181 (66.1)	Reference	Reference
Food security
Food secured	104 (33.9)	203 (66.1)	Reference	Reference
Food insecure	51 (49.5)	52 (50.5)	1.9 (1.2, 3.0)	1.4 (0.9, 2.3)
Wealth index
Poor	86 (44.1)	109 (55.9)	2.3 (1.4, 3.9)	2.3 (1.4, 3.9)*
Medium	41 (39.0)	64 (61.0)	1.9 (1.0, 3.3)	1.9 (1.0, 3.4)
Rich	28 (25.5)	82 (74.5)	Reference	Reference
Taking Vitamin A
Yes	101 (33.9)	197 (66.1)	Reference	Reference
No	54 (48.2)	58 (51.8)	1.8 (1.16, 2.8)	1.5 (1.0, 2.3) *

AOR, adjusted OR; COR, crude OR; OC, orphan children.

Table 5

Factors associated with underweight among orphan children aged 6–59 months in Gambella Town, Southwest, Ethiopia, 2018 (n=410)

Variables	Underweight n (%)	Normal n (%)	COR (95% CI)	AOR (95% CI)
Number of under 5 children
<3	52 (17.9)	238 (82.1)	0.5 (0.3, 0.8)	0.7 (0.4, 1.2)
3–5	37 (30.8)	83 (69.2)	Reference	Reference
Family size
<4	28 (14.4)	166 (85.6)	Reference	Reference
≥4	61 (28.2)	155 (71.8)	2.3 (1.4, 3.8)	2.2 (1.3, 3.9)*
Food security
Food secure	53 (17.3)	254 (82.7)	Reference	Reference
Food insecure	36 (35.0)	67 (65.0)	2.6 (1.6, 4.2)	2.0 (1.1, 3.6)*
Wealth index
Poor	56 (28.7)	139 (71.3)	2.5 (1.4, 4.8)	2.3 (1.2, 4.7)*
Medium	18 (17.1)	87 (82.9)	1.3 (0.6, 2.7)	1.1 (0.5, 2.5)
Rich	15 (13.6)	95 (86.4)	Reference	Reference
Vitamin A supplement
Yes	41 (13.8)	257 (86.2)	Reference	Reference
No	48 (42.9)	64 (57.1)	4.7 (2.9, 7.7)	4.8 (2.8, 8.3)*
Diarrhoea
Yes	57 (29.1)	139 (70.9)	2.3 (1.4, 3.8)	1.8 (1.0, 3.1)*
No	32 (15.0)	182 (85.0)	Reference	Reference
Fever
Yes	43 (31.6)	93 (68.4)	2.3 (1.4, 3.7)	1.7 (0.9, 3.0)
No	46 (16.8)	228 (83.2)	Reference	Reference

AOR, adjusted OR; COR, crude OR.

Discussion

The present study assessed the prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and associated factors among the most vulnerable population group. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among orphaned children was 12.2%, 37.8 % and 21.7 %, respectively. However, the study finding should be interpreted with caution because the study conducted in the Gambella region capital city, and orphans who reside in the city may have better care and nutritional support than semiurban and rural setting residents. Also, several nongovernmental organisations work on humanitarian activities in the study area, which may also influence the study findings.

In this study, the prevalence of stunting was consistent with the study conducted in African countries such as Malawi (9.1%) and Nigeria (12.4%).29 33 However, the present finding is lower than the study done in Asian countries such as Palestine (17.6%), India (18.6%), China (20%) and Pakistan (21%),34–37 respectively. Also, the finding is lower compared with the study conducted in African countries; Zimbabwe (29%), Malawi (30.4%), Ghana (17.9%) and South Africa (18%),27–29 38 respectively, and Ethiopia was in the range (35.1%–45.7%).9 24 The possible reason for variation may be differences in geographical, sociocultural, nutritional support, and study period variation could contribute to the variation.

In general, the prevalence of stunting is greater than underweight and wasting and underweight higher than wasting in the general population. However, in our study, wasting found the most critical finding markedly higher than stunting and underweight. Wasting indicator is a consequence of transitory insufficient food intake and or high incidence of infectious disease, leading to the weakened immune system and increased risk of susceptibility to infectious diseases and death.39 Hence, the highest burden of acute malnutrition in the current study could be associated with a higher incidence of epidemic diseases in the region, such as acute respiratory infection, malaria, measles, fever and acute watery diarrhoea. Furthermore, our study finding is consistent with previous shreds of evidence. The prevalence of wasting in the Gambella region increases since 2000, and stunting shows a decline, and the burden of wasting is highest next to the Somali and Afar regions in the country.40

In this study, the prevalence of acute malnutrition is consistent with a study in Bangladesh (33%), Punjab and West Bengal, India (38.5%, 35.1%),41–43 respectively. However, the finding of the present study is considerably higher compared with study done in eastern India (18%), Palestine (8.8%), Ghana (5.3%), Zimbabwe (5%), Malawi (12.5%) and China (3.07%).27–30 34 36 The finding also higher than the study done in Gondar city (7.5%), Dilla town (9.9%), Hawassa city (11%)9 10 24 and the national prevalence of Ethiopia (10%).8 On the other hand, the finding is lower as compared with the study from northern India (62%), Nigeria (47.5%) and Kenya (47%).44–46 The dissimilarities may be due to the nutrition support system, access to healthcare service, population and study period differences.

In the current study, the prevalence of underweight was 21.7%, and the finding is in line with study results in Zimbabwe (19%), urban union council of Abbottabad (21%), northeast Ethiopia (24.8%)19 28 37 and the national prevalence of Ethiopia (24%).8 In contrast, the study finding is lower as compared with the study in India (31.9%), Vietnam (27.7%, Malawi (33.4%), Nigeria (45.5%) and Uganda (30%).29 30 44 47 48 The current study result is lower compared with the study done in northwest Ethiopia (27.8%) and northeast Ethiopia (46.1%).9 16 On the other hand, this finding is far higher than the study done in China (7.2%), Ghana (7.7%), Nigeria (14.8%), southern Ethiopia (8.9%) and west Ethiopia (14.5%).21 24 27 36 49 The possible reasons for the differences may be variations in the study setting, population, sample size, period, nutrition and healthcare support system and sociocultural variations.

Our study identified several factors associated with stunting, wasting and underweight among orphan children under 5 years. Orphan children who lived in food-insecure households had more odds of stunting and underweight compared with the orphan children who lived in food-secure households. A similar study in Kenya established the association between food insecurity and higher odds of stunting and underweight among orphan children.50 Because orphaned children who lived in food-insecure households may not have sufficient access to an adequate, diversified and balanced diet to sustain optimum physical growth and development. Being in large family size had greater odds of stunting and underweight than orphans who lived in smaller family size. Likewise, orphans who lived with fewer children under 5 had 75% reduced odds of stunting. A similar study done in Malawi, Afar, Tigray and EDHS 20168 18 19 29 affirmed that large family size and the number of children under 5 lived in the household were negatively associated child nutritional status. The possible reason may be that orphans who live in large family sizes and large numbers of under 5 could not access adequate food, healthcare service, psychosocial and nutritional support. An orphan who belongs to a poor wealth quintile household had greater odds of stunting, wasting and underweight. A similar study done in Bangladesh and Ethiopia declared the association between poor wealth index and undernutrition.51 52 Because inadequate resources decrease the ability to pay for essential health services, adequate and various food groups contribute to decreased health status and dietary intake, leading to infection and malnutrition.

In the present study, vitamin A supplementation status was significantly associated with stunting, wasting and underweight. Orphan children who did not receive vitamin A supplementation had more odds of stunting, wasting and underweight compared with an orphan who received vitamin A supplementation. A similar study in northwest Ethiopia confirmed that the odds of stunting was higher among orphan who did not receive vitamin A supplementation.9 Because vitamin A has anti-infective activities and enhances the body’s innate and adaptive immune system, this, in turn, reduces infections, which contributed to the immediate cause of malnutrition. However, the finding is inconsistent with studies in southern Ethiopia.24 The disagreement may be due to differences in the study population, study period and setting. Being a single orphan had 70 % reduced odds of stunting compared with double orphaned. The finding agrees with a study in southern Ethiopia,24 and this may be because orphan children living with their biological parents may get better care and support than caregivers. Orphans who had a history of diarrhoea 2 weeks before the survey had more odds of underweight than diarrhea-free children. In line with our finding, a study in Nigeria, Rwanda and Ethiopia demonstrated the association between diarrhoea infection and greater odds of underweight.21 53 54 Infection reduces child appetite, digestion and nutrient absorption, which leads to malnutrition.

Conclusion

In general, the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among orphaned children was markedly public health significance. Food insecurity, wealth index, family size, vitamin A supplementation, diarrhoea, fever, number of under 5 and orphan status were significantly associated with the nutritional status of orphan children. Wide-ranging intervention strategies targeted to income-generating activities and healthcare access; social and nutritional support should be given priority to reduce orphan undernutrition. Overall, orphan children are more exposed to various developmental, psychosocial, behavioural, health and nutritional problems. The present study assesses the prevalence of undernutrition and identified different factors associated with undernutrition. However, due to the nature of the cross-sectional study design, it is difficult to establish a causal association between variables with poor nutritional outcomes. Hence, further research is needed to establish how orphanhood leads to poor health and nutritional outcomes, including psychosocial and development outcomes.