Prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among children, aged 6-59 months from WASH project and non-WASH project implementing Kebeles of Tach Gayint Woreda North West, Ethiopia, 2019

Abstract

Abstract Background Nutritional scantiness is a leading cause of wasting, stunting, and being underweight in children all over the world. Stunting induces developmental delays, decreased cognitive function, an increased risk of chronic disease, and a decrease in the national economy. This study deliberate to assess the prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition WASH project and non-WASH project implementation Kebeles among children aged 6 to 59 months in Tach Gayint district, North West Ethiopia. Methods A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 1120 children aged 6–59 months randomly selected in Tach Gayint District from January 2019 to February 2019. The sample size was calculated using the double proportion formula. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The association between dependents and independent variables was tested using multivariable logistic regression. The statistical association was declared with 95% confidence intervals at a p-value of less than 0.05. Result The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 49.4%, 17.0%, and 12.8% respectively. Diarrheal (AOR = 8.01; 95% CI: 1.62–39.45), Sex (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.26–2.58) and unimproved water source (AOR = 1.918, 95% CI: 1.389–2.64) were independent factors. Conclusion Undernutrition was a major public health issue among children aged 6 to 59 months according to WHOs cut of points. Unimproved water sources, the sex of the child, and frequent diarrheal infection were associated factors for undernutrition. Therefore, strengthening the implementation of WASH activities to increase the coverage of improved water supply and prevention and control of diarrheal infection should be included in the prevention strategies of undernutrition.