Abstract:
Background: Children are most vulnerable to malnutrition in developing countries because of low dietary intakes,
lack of appropriate care, and inequitable distribution of food within the household. Malnutrition remains one of the
most common causes of morbidity and mortality among children throughout the world. Malnutrition In Ethiopia, in the
form of stunting, underweight and wasting were identified as 44%, 29% and 10% and Amhara National region state
52%, 33.4% and 9.9%, respectively in children under five.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among Children age 6-59 Months
in Lalibela Town, Northern Ethiopia
Methods: A-Community based cross-sectional study was conducted from August 19 to September 13, 2012 in
Lalibela town, Northern Ethiopia which includes both urban and rural settings. Data were collected from 844
households with children age 6-59 months using pre tested structured questionnaires and measuring weight and
height of children. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used using SPSS version 16
computer software to see the relevant associations. Anthropometric data were also converted into indices of
nutritional status using Emergency Nutrition Assessment for SMART special software, 2012.
Results: A total of 844 households were included in the study giving the response rate 100%. The prevalence of
stunting, underweight and wasting were 47.3% (95%CI: 43.2-51.1), 25.6% (95%CI: 20.6-30.6) and 8.9% (95% CI:
6.9-10.2), respectively. Among the various socio-economic,demographic and child health and care practices
characteristics considered, age of the child 11-23 months (AOR= 2.30; (95%CI: 1.28-4.12), Deworming status
(AOR=2.19; (95% CI: 1.41-3.39), sex of the child(AOR= 0.75; (95% CI: 0.57-1.00) and breast feed the child still
now(AOR= 0.40;(95% CI: 0.20-0.78) remained to be significantly associated with stunting. Middle wealth quintile to
the households (AOR=0.51; (95%CI: 0.28-0.91), age of the child 23-35 months(AOR=2.29; (95%CI: 1.14-4.61),
number of children aged 6-59 months in the household (AOR=1.61; (95%CI: 1.08-2.41) and giving honey to the child
in the morning (AOR=1.52; (95%CI: 1.03-2.24) were remained to be significantly and independently associated with
underweight.
Conclusion: The prevalence rate of malnutrition in the study area was found high and this was coupled with
association of many independent variables. This needs appropriate factor specific interventions.
