Heterogeneity of Children Weight-for-age Variations: Determinants and Consequences of Child Nutritional Status in Ethiopia
Amanuel Disassa Abshoko *
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O.Box 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Tilahun Ferede Asena
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O.Box 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia and Department of Statistics, Arba Minch University, P.O.Box 25, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Aklilu Toma Shamenna
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O.Box 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Ashenafi Senbeta Bedane
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Hawassa University, P.O.Box 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The general wellbeing of children has become an issue of increasing concern and it has been a major problem in developing countries like Ethiopia.
Objective: This study is an attempt to identify the determinants of weight for age status of children in Ethiopia using data collected during the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) in 2011.
Design: The sampling technique employed was multistage stratified cluster sampling.
Results: Analysis of the study revealed that 29.2% of children under 5 years of age are underweight. Results of the multiple binary logistic regressions showed that region of residence, age of the child, educational status of mothers, preceding birth interval, availability of electric power and sex of child are the most important determinants of weight for age status of children. Among the multilevel models, the random intercept model best fitted the data than the others considered in the analyses. The variance of random component related to the intercept term indicated variations in childhood underweight among the regions. Amhara, Somali, Ben-Gumuz, Tigray and Afar regional states were more likely to have underweight children. Although there is region- wise disparity in children weight-for-age status, it is observed that children living in rural parts of the country are at higher risk of being underweight.
Conclusion: Primary health care and nutrition programs which would fit the features of each region be designed and implemented to safeguard children from nutritional deficiency resulting in underweight children.
Keywords: EDHS, Ethiopia, heterogeneity, variations, weight-for-age.