Abstract:
Background: Poor Infant and Young Child Feeding practices are a major cause of child
malnutrition. More than one third of child mortality in developing countries could be prevented
by appropriate complementary feeding practices. Transition period from exclusive breastfeeding
to two years is critical for optimal growth and development. There is limited information on
child feeding practices and their association with nutritional status.
Objectives: The main objective of the study is to assess feeding practices and its association
with nutritional status of children.
Method: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in rural Kebeles of Nada
District during March, 2017 among children aged between 6 and 23 months. Simple random
sampling method was employed to enroll the eligible and data on socio-demographic and
anthropometric measurements were collected using structured questionnaire. Data entry and
analysis was done using Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS 20.0 statistical software, respectively.
WHO anthro software was used to convert length and weight measurements into LAZ, WLZ and
WAZ. Multivariable logistic regression with p value <0.05 identify independent predictors of
each under nutrition
Results: The prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight among infants and young children
were 3.6 % (95 % CI: 2.4-4.8), 39.7 % (95 % CI: 22.9-39.9) and 16.4 % (95 % CI: 9.5-18.5)
respectively. House hold food in security AOR=2.2 (1.033, 4.668), low socio-economic status
AOR=2.5(1.284, 3.919), poor maternal schooling AOR=2.1(1.012, 3.297) were significantly
associated with stunting. Similarly less minimum dietary diversity AOR=2.33 (1.302, 4.151),
house hold food security, age of child AOR=2.109(2.440, 4.844) and time of complementary initiation AOR=2.129(1.278, 2.861) were significantly associated with underweight and
household food secured OR=0.204(0.57, 0.729) and diarrheal disease AOR=5.6(1.748, 19.668)
were significant predictor of wasting.
Conclusion: Under nutrition is a public health problem among infants and young children in
nada district. Low socio-economic status, poor maternal schooling were identified to be
significant predictors of stunting and Low dietary diversity scores, inappropriate age of
complementary feeding initiation were predictors of underweight. Diarrheal disease was found to
be the most attributable factors of wasting in the district.
Recommendation: Intervention should focus on improving house hold food security, support
income generation, nutrition education. Should put effort to increase female education in order to
improve the appropriate feeding practices. Prevention and control of diarrheal diseases.
Encouraging and strengthening appropriate complementary feeding with breast feeding child
after six months of ages. Health workers/health extension workers should encourage mothers to
introduce complementary foods when their children are 6 months old. Community management
of malnutrition should be strengthened by the health sectors
