Associated Factors of Wasting among Infants and Young Children (IYC) in Kuyu District, Northern Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Wasting among infants and young children in underdeveloped countries including Ethiopia is one of the most serious public health issues. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the magnitude of wasting and the variables that associate with it among infants and young children in the Kuyu district of Northern Oromia, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study of 612 infants and young children aged 6-23 months was conducted. To select eligible infants and young children from each family in the Kuyu district, a multilevel sampling approach was used. The amount and determinants related to wasting were investigated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. In the study area, 14.1% of infants and young children were found to be wasting. Maternal educational status ( $\text{AOR}=1.8$ , 95% CI; 1.01, 4.32), diarrhoea ( $\text{AOR}=2.3$ , 95% CI; 1.98, 4.56), exclusive breastfeeding ( $\text{AOR}=2.46$ , 95% CI, 1.4, 4.58), antenatal care visits ( $\text{AOR}=2.21$ ; 95% CI, 1.32, 3.48), and wealth index ( $\text{AOR}=1.66$ , 95% CI; 1.07, 4.47) were significantly associated with wasting. According to the findings of this study, mother educational status, the occurrence of diarrhoea, exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal care visits, and wealth index have an impact on infants and young children’s wasting. Therefore, to lower the burden of wasting among infants and young children in the study, community-based schooling and nutritional interventions are urgently needed.