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Published:
Jan 1, 2019Keywords:
Binary Logistic Regression Nutritional Status Protein Energy Malnutrition
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Prevalence of Protein-energy Malnutrition in Children under Five Years of Age Admitted to Pediatric Wards at Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital, Arsi Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia
Abstract
Malnutrition is a serious problem in Ethiopia as a result of which there is a high rate of
mortality of children under the age of five years. The main objective of this paper is, therefore, to
identify the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition and determine factors contributing to it for
children under the age of five years that were admitted to Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital in
Arsi administrative zone, central Ethiopia. Data were collected from 367 sample households selected
randomly from a total of 6554 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and
binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that 12%, 46% and 14% children were
underweight, stunted and wasted, respectively. This implied that there is less severe problem form of
protein energy malnutrition status. It was also found that sex of children, educational level of parents,
distance of work place of caregiver from home, age of children, age of caregiver, marital status, family
size, and family income were predictors of protein energy malnutrition. In addition, educational level
of parents and economy of parents were important components for ensuring good nutritional of
children. Therefore, improving parents’ economy and literacy of the community (especially female
literacy) is instrumental in minimizing protein energy malnutrition for under five-year children.
Moreover, it is advisable if nutritional status of children be assessed periodically to monitor the
situation and to take appropriate measures for combating and preventing malnutrition in children.
mortality of children under the age of five years. The main objective of this paper is, therefore, to
identify the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition and determine factors contributing to it for
children under the age of five years that were admitted to Asella Referral and Teaching Hospital in
Arsi administrative zone, central Ethiopia. Data were collected from 367 sample households selected
randomly from a total of 6554 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and
binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that 12%, 46% and 14% children were
underweight, stunted and wasted, respectively. This implied that there is less severe problem form of
protein energy malnutrition status. It was also found that sex of children, educational level of parents,
distance of work place of caregiver from home, age of children, age of caregiver, marital status, family
size, and family income were predictors of protein energy malnutrition. In addition, educational level
of parents and economy of parents were important components for ensuring good nutritional of
children. Therefore, improving parents’ economy and literacy of the community (especially female
literacy) is instrumental in minimizing protein energy malnutrition for under five-year children.
Moreover, it is advisable if nutritional status of children be assessed periodically to monitor the
situation and to take appropriate measures for combating and preventing malnutrition in children.
