Abstract:
Background: As of many developing countries undernutrition is one of the most health
problems among under five children in Ethiopia. Undernutrition is leading causes of sickness
and mortality among children with many associated factors. There was limited information
on the association of the implementation of extension program to children nutritional status.
Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and
associated factors among 6-59 month-old children in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda (AZW),
Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design was used from May to June
among under five children in AZW. A multistage sampling technique was used to draw a
sample of 608. The study participants were included and interviewed using a structured and
pretested questionnaire. The data was entered using KOBO collect version 3.5.1 and
analyzed using SPSS version 24. Height/length, weight and age of children was converted to
Z-score indices using WHO 2006 growth reference. Bivariate and multivariable logistic
regression was computed to declare association at p value <0.05.
Result: Among study participants, 51.4%, 15.8% and 8.0% of them were stunted,
underweight, and wasted, respectively. Sex of the child (AOR= 0.54, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.78)
and dietary diversity score (AOR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.35) were significantly associated
with stunting. Absence of fever in the past two weeks (AOR=0.31, 95% CI=0.14, 0.67) and
not using family planning methods (AOR=3.92, 95% CI=1.68, 9.13) were associated to
wasting. Antenatal care visit (AOR=2.19, 95% CI=1.07, 4.47) and household food security
status(AOR=2.91, 95% CI: 1.73, 4.92) were significantly associated with being underweight.
Conclusion: In this study, under five children were chronically undernourished. Age of the
child and food insecurity increase the chance of being underweight and stunting. Not using
family planning increase the odds of wasting and underweight. Being male also increase the
odds of wasting and stunting. However, the study founds no significant association between
the types of household with the outcome variables. Thus, nutritional intervention program in
AZW, Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia should focus on these factors
