Undernutrition and Associated Factors among Under-five Children in Batu Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Enhancing nutrition significantly contributes to addressing sustainable development goals by reducing poverty. In Ethiopia, undernutrition is the leading cause of child illness and death. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among children under-five years of age in Batu Town, Oromia, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study design with a simple random sampling technique was used to select 387 participants. ENA for SMART 2020 software was used to calculate the Z-score of Anthropometric Measurements. Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze the data and the outputs are presented using adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (AOR, 95% CI). The magnitude of wasting, stunting, and underweight were 7.0%, 55.5%, and 27.0%, respectively. Being male [AOR = 1.86 (95% CI = 1.13–3.08)] and breastfeeding for over two years [AOR = 2.49 (95% CI = 1.22–5.12)] were the significant predictors of being underweight, whereas colostrum intake [AOR = 0.37 (95% CI = 0.15–0.94)] and good dietary diversity status [AOR = 0.45 (95% CI = 0.24–0.84)] were preventive factors. Similarly, colostrum intake [AOR = 0.09, (95% CI = 0.01–0.68])] and good dietary diversity status [AOR = 0.55 (95% CI = 0.33–0.94)] were preventive factors for stunting though children above 12 months [AOR = 2.89 (95% CI = 1.82–4.58] had increased odds of being stunted. However, in this study, family size [AOR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.19–10.48] was the sole risk factor for wasting. Undernutrition was prevalent in Batu Town, exceeding regional and national rates. Boys are more affected. Moderate underweight and severe stunting are common. Breastfeeding, colostrum, and diversified diets help, while family size and child age increase the risk. To enhance children's nutritional status, tailored interventions such as promoting colostrum intake, and encouraging diversified diets are required.