Anaemia, anthropometric undernutrition and associated factors among mothers with children younger than 2 years of age in the rural Dale district, southern Ethiopia

A community‐based study

Bibliographic Data

ID15536714
AuthorsTsigereda Kebede (0000-0001-9238-642X, Hawassa University, corresponding author), Selamawit Mengesha (Hawassa University), B Lindtjørn (0000-0002-6267-6984, Hawassa University), Bernt Lindtjorn (College of Medicine and Health Sciences Hawassa University Hawassa Ethiopia), Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv Engebretsen (0000-0001-5852-3611, University of Bergen)
Year2022
Volume18
Issue4
Pagese13423-e13423
Publication date2022-08-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13423
PMID36006033
OpenAlexW4293047660
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited45

Mothers in resource-poor settings are affected by different forms of undernutrition. However, the nutritional status of mothers in rural areas, particularly after delivery, is not well documented. This study assessed haemoglobin levels and body mass index (BMI) of mothers with children below 2 years of age in a rural district of southern Ethiopia. Factors associated with low haemoglobin levels and low BMI were analysed. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 931 mother-child pairs. Structured and standard questionnaires were used to collect data on background information, 24 h dietary recalls, and household food insecurity. Anthropometric and haemoglobin level assessments were performed. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin levels below 12.0 g/dl, and anthropometric undernutrition was defined as a BMI 2 . Multilevel linear regression was used to determine associations. Out of 931 mothers, 12.8% were anaemic and 12.6% had a BMI 2 . The prevalence of minimum dietary diversity was 37.8%. The majority (78.5%) of the households were food insecure. Weight (β 0.02; 95% CI: 0.003-0.03), dietary diversity (β 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03-0.12) and secondary school attendance (β 0.34; 95% CI: 0.08-0.59) were associated with the mothers' haemoglobin level. Dietary diversity (β 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-0.16) and household's wealth (β 0.6; 95% CI: 0.27-0.94) were associated with the mothers' BMI. Findings suggest that education and community-based nutrition interventions must be strengthened to ensure household food security. Implementation of the national food-based strategies should be considered, to improve the dietary diversity and nutritional status of mothers

Anthropometry · Attendance · Body mass index · Cross-sectional study · Dietary diversity · Environmental health · Food security · Geography · Malnutrition · Nutrition Education · Overweight · Psychological intervention · Underweight · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Iron Metabolism and Disorders · Medicine · Gerontology · Pediatrics