DETERMINANTS OF SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN 6-23 MONTHS OF AGE IN DARA WOREDA PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA: - A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND Severe acute malnutrition remains a major killer of children under five years of age, especially in developing world, including Ethiopia. Identification of the determinants of severe acute malnutrition under the age of two years can significantly reduce the burden of child morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To assess determinants of severe acute malnutrition among 6-23-month children METHODS: A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on children aged 6 23 months (213 cases and 213 controls) from four health centers in Dara woreda from February 1 to May 1, 2024. Children aged 6–23 months with severe acute malnutrition were cases and those visiting health centers outpatient service without diagnosis of severe acute malnutrition were controls. The study participants were selected using consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected by the Kobo toolbox and were exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer software program version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were done and variables with p-value less than 0.25 were eligible for the final model. A multivariable logistic regression was also performed and statistically significant level was declared at a p-value < 0.05. The odds ratio at 95% CI was used to measure the strength of association between outcome and predictor variables. The result was presented with different texts, graphs, and tables. Result: - The factors associated with severe acute malnutrition were perceived birth weight [AOR= 0.09, 95% CI=0.03-0.29], getting nutritional information [AOR=17.12; 95% CI: 6.18 47.37], introduction of complementary feeding after six months [AOR= 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18 0.89] and dietary diversity score < 5 groups [AOR= 4.62; 95% CI= 2.30-9.47] were significant. Conclusion: In this study, perceived birth weight, nutritional information, initiation of complementary feeding and dietary diversity were significantly associated with severe acute malnutrition. Thus, emphasis should be given to improving infant and young child feeding practices, especially timely initiation of complementary feeding and dietary diversity.