Dietary diversity and associated factors among lactating women in Ethiopia: Cross sectional study

Introduction: Lactating women are more vulnerable to malnutrition due to increased physiological demands, the lactogenesis process, consuming an undiversified monotonous diet, and increased nutrient needs during lactation. However, meeting minimum standards of dietary diversity for lactating mothers is a challenge in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. As a result, the purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary diversity and associated factors among breastfeeding mothers. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A multistage sampling technique was used to get a total of 665 lactating mothers from their kebeles. Face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire were used to collect data. Data was entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the important predictors of maternal dietary diversity. Variables having p < 0.25 in bivariate analysis were fitted to multivariate analysis. The odds ratio, P-value < 0.05, and 95% CI were computed to show the association of variables. Result: A total of 665 lactating women participated, with a response rate of 96.2%. Only 163 (24.5 %) mothers satisfied the minimal dietary diversity criteria. Mothers' dietary diversity was significantly associated with their education status [AOR 5.173 (2.132–12.552)], head of household [AOR 3.822 (2.290–6.378)], family size [AOR 5.358 (2.838–10.116)], and meal frequency [AOR 3.379 (1.789–6.380). Conclusion: One in every four mothers met the dietary diversity standard. Concerned bodies should consider ensuring large-scale interventions that focus on the identified factors to improve dietary diversity practices

Stunting and associated factors among primary school children in Ethiopia: School-based cross-sectional study

Background: Stunting is a common type of undernutrition in schoolchildren, and it has a significant negative impact on academic performance. Stunting refers to a child who is too short for their age. It is the result of chronic or recurring malnutrition. Stunting can have far-reaching consequences that last a lifetime. Malnutrition is still a major public health concern in developing countries, including Ethiopia, with an estimated 118 million people going hungry by 2020. Therefore, this study was intended to assess the prevalence and associated factors of stunting among primary school children. Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted in Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was used to get a total of 500 study participants from May 1 to June 30, 2021. Data was collected by using face-to-face interviews with structured questionnaires. It was entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Variables with a p value of 0.25 in bivariate analysis were fitted to multivariable analysis. A multivariable logistic regression model with a 95% confidence interval and a P-Value of 0.05 was used. Results: The study found that 203 (40.6%) of the 500 primary students enrolled were stunted (95% CI: 17–47). Stunting was significantly associated with educational status [AOR 2.49 (95%CI (1.23, 4.06)], dietary diversity [AOR 2.0, (95%CI (1.64, 3.54)], child age [AOR 3.48, (95%CI (2.04, 6.16)], family size [AOR 2.18, (95%CI (2.06, 4.49)], and family type [AOR 2.94, (95%CI (1.84, 4.72)]. Conclusion: More than one-third of elementary school children were stunted. Implementing school health and nutrition initiatives to improve the nutritional status of school-age children in the study area is critical, as is considering a strategy to improve children's wellbeing through cross-cutting child wellbeing strategies, with a special focus on vulnerable children. It should be considered to empower vulnerable families who are at risk of having a child with stunting to improve children's home environments