DETERMINAT FACTORS OF CHILD MALNURATION IN AMBO TOWN OROMIA REGION (THE CASE OF AMBO TOWN)

Abstract

This study is an empirical study aimed at estimatin g the levels of child malnutrition and identifying the basic demographic, socio-economic, health and environment determinants of long-term nutritional status among children in Ambo Town Oromia Regional state. First, all the available literatures were reviewed which later helped the development of five important hypotenuses and the conceptual framework. A questionnaire constricting of about 40 items was developed and a half day’s training sessi on was organized for data collator’s and supervisor. A pilot test was conducted on 8 mothers having children 0-59 months who are selected through purposive sampling which helped th e modification of the questionnaire. In selecting the 40 HHs, stratified sampling technique was used. Up on the successful completion of the fieldwork, the data entry and analysis were done using SPSS and EPI-INFO Computer soft ware package. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techni ques were used to analyze the variables. The univarite analysis was used to see the percentage s hare of background variables. The findings indicate that 51.3 percent, 13.7 percent and 48.4 p ercent of children in Ambo town were stunted, wasted and underweight, respectively. The findings of the bivarite analysis using chi-squ are test showed the existence of association between 17 explanatory variables and stunting. Mult ivariate analysis using logistic regression clearly revealed age of child, sex of child, birth intervals, mothers age at deliver, number of under-five children, mothers education, HH income, place of residence, mother ethnicity, vaccination, mothers ANC visit, source of drinking water, sanitation facilities, BF and age at weaning are very important determinant factors. Finally, improving HH income and mother education, improvement in ANC visits, expanding immunizations of children, the quality and quantity of safe water and sanitation facilities, extended duration of BF and a weaning through expan sion of family planning for spacing and raising the mothers age at birth and minimum of age mothers at marriage are some of the recommendations of the study.