Prevalence of Wasting and Associated Factors among Preschool Children in Gobu Sayo Woreda, East Wollega, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status of children is an important indicator for child health and overall wellbeing. Acute malnutrition also known as wasting, it is characterized by a rapid deterioration in nutritional status over a short period. Ethiopia has a high prevalence of acute malnutrition, and one in ten children wasted.

Objective: The study was aimed to assess the prevalence of wasting and related factors among preschool children in Gubo Sayo, East Wollega, and West Ethiopia

Methods: A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Gubo Sayo Woreda, East Wollega, Ethiopia. Weight and height of the study children were measured and the socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects were collected using a questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis methods have been used to identify factors of nutritional status preschool children.

Result: Finally, these study result shows 12.5% of preschool children were wasted. Among the socio-economic variables included in the study family income, family size, and family education were significantly associated with acute malnutrition.

Conclusion: The Acute malnutritional status of preschool children particularly in the study area is affected by family income, family size and family education. To intervene and improve this problem, community based nutrition program and Nutrition education should be established.

Keywords Wasting, Preschool, children, Associated factors