Socioeconomic feature on child feeding, as a determinant factor of nutritional status of children: the case of rural community at Dilla-Zuria district of Gede’o Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Good nutrition is necessary for a healthy and active life, and it has a direct impact on intellectual capacity, which has a positive impact on social and economic development. As it has a significant impact on children's rapid growth and development during their early years, exclusive breastfeeding and correct complementary nutrition are required for good physical, mental, social, and cognitive development. Children's nutritional health is influenced by a variety of factors, including access to food in the household and caregivers' awareness as well. As it has a significant impact on children's rapid growth and development during their early years, exclusive breastfeeding and correct complementary nutrition are required for good physical, mental, social, and cognitive development. A variety of factors influence children's nutritional needs, including access to nutritious foods and feeding practices. To better understand the factors contributing to malnutrition in children under the age of five, a study was conducted in the Dilla-Zuria district of Gede'o Zone, Southern Ethiopia. This study used a cross-sectional design with a mix of qualitative and quantitative approaches. SPSS version 20.0 software was employed for analysis. Descriptive statistics, leaner regression, bivariate correlations, and qualitative inference were employed for analysis. Household socioeconomic features, child feeding practices, access to subsistence and food, and the mother’s autonomy to use the household’s wealth were used as independent variables, with anthropometric data from children under the age of five used as a dependent variable for determination of nutritional status. The findings of this study revealed that the caregivers' child feeding practices are heavily influenced by the socioeconomic features of the family when determining the nutritional condition of children under the age of five. To address the nutritional problem of children under the age of five in the Gede'o Zone, SNNPR Ethiopia, and maybe at the national level, an integrated holistic approach involving several sectors and sub-sectors with clearly defined mainstreaming duties has been advocated.