BackgroundUnder nutrition is one of the major causes of health problems among children under five years old in Ethiopia. Though the problem of under nutrition has decreased in the country, it is still continuing as one of the major causes of mortality of children under five. Studies have shown that the magnitude and related factors of under nutrition are varied in different agro-ecological settings of the country. Thus it is indispensable to assess the nature of the problem at community level. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of under nutrition and related factors among children under five years in Haramaya district, eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross sectional study was conducted in Haramaya district from December 1, 2012 to January 30, 2013 and Multi–stage stratified systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. A total of 791 study subjects were included in the study. Data were collected using face-to-face interview and anthropometric measurements. World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro software was used to convert nutritional data indices from anthropometric measurement into Z-scores, and Multivariate logistic regression model with an enter method was used to determine the predictors of under nutrition.ResultsThe study indicated that prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under five years old were 45.8 %, 10.7 % and 21 % respectively. Children in rural Kebeles with Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) =2.45, 95 % CI(1.25-6.66), children who were 6 and above birth order (AOR =1.992, 95 % CI( 1.05-3.77)), and children who were used to live with households having two and more under five children (AOR = 1.81, 95 % CI( 1.19-2.7)) were more stunted than their counterparts. Children in the lowland Kebeles, (AOR = 3.29, 95 % CI( 1.2-8.8)) and children having diarrhea, (AOR = 2.48, 95 % CI(1.28-4.78)); mothers with Body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 (AOR = 2.17, 95 % CI(1.17-3.81)); mothers who did not have ANC visit during pregnancy (AOR = 3.47, 95 % CI (1.49-7.8) ) and with birth order of 4 to 5 children (AOR = 3.08, 95 % CI (1.11-8.5)), were more likely to be underweight than their counterparts. Moreover, male children (AOR = 2.37, 95 % CI (1.19-4.7)), children who were served food with family (AOR = 2.3, 95 % CI (1.14- 4.9)), children who had fever, (AOR = 2.9, 95 % CI (1.16-7.2)), were more likely to be wasted than their counterparts.ConclusionsThis study indicated that nearly half of the children under five years in the study area were stunted. Thus, a large number of children had poor nutritional history or growth failure. Furthermore, underweight and wasting were significantly high. The problem can be addressed by targeting children since their early ages and by conducting tailored nutrition education to mothers or caretakers to improve the nutritional status of their children.

BackgroundThe harmful infant feeding practices of prelacteal feeding is widely practiced in Ethiopia. Hence, it is vital to appreciate the cultural basis and potential factors on infant feeding practices in different parts of Ethiopia. This study aimed to investigate prelacteal feeding practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 24 months in Raya Kobo district, North Eastern Ethiopia.MethodsA quantitative community-based cross-sectional study supplemented by qualitative methods was employed. Sixty hundred thirty (630) mothers of children aged less than 24 months were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were employed to identify the factors associated with prelacteal feeding practices. Variables with a p-value < 0.05 were identified as statistically significant factors. Qualitative data was collected by focus group discussion and in-depth interview and analyzed using thematic frameworks.ResultsThe prevalence of prelacteal feeding was 38.8% (95% CI: 35.00%, 43.00%). Home delivery was a risk factor for practicing prelacteal feeding. Those mothers who gave birth at home were seven times more likely to practice prelacteal feeding as compared to mothers who delivered at health institutions (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR):7.10; 95% CI: 3.91, 12.98). Mothers who were not aware of the risks associated with prelacteal feeding were nearly four times more likely to practice prelacteal feeding as compared to knowledgeable mothers (AOR: 3.70; 95% CI: 2.44, 5.53). Late initiation of breastfeeding (after one hour of delivery) was also associated with prelacteal feeding practice (AOR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.78, 3.99). The major reasons stated for providing prelacteal feeding were to prevent “evil eye” and illness and to “clean infant’s stomach”.ConclusionPrelacteal feeding was commonly practiced in Raya Kobo district. Home delivery, delayed commencement of breastfeeding after birth and lack of awareness about the risks associated with prelacteal feeding were predictors of prelacteal feeding. Therefore, strengthening infant feeding counseling about the risks associated with prelacteal feeding, promoting institutional delivery and timely initiation of breastfeeding are important measures for preventing prelacteal feeding in Raya Kobo district.

Background: UNICEF and WHO recommend colostrum as newborns’ perfect food that should be initiated within the first hour after birth.Objective: To assess colostrum avoidance practices and associated factors among mothers of children aged <24 months in Raya Kobo district, North-eastern Ethiopia.Methods: A quantitative community-based cross-sectional study supplemented by qualitative method was used. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used in the statistical analysis.Results: Colostrum avoidance was practiced by 13.5% (95% confidence interval: 10.99–16.33) of mothers having children aged <24 months. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, giving birth at home, mother-heading households, lack of awareness on the advantages of colostrum and late initiation of breastfeeding remained statistically significant factors associated with colostrum avoidance practices.Conclusion: Promoting institutional delivery, timely initiation of breastfeeding and creating awareness on the advantages of colostrum feeding are recommended interventions to reduce colostrum avoidance.

BackgroundIneffective breastfeeding technique is one of the factors contributing to mothers practicing non-exclusive breastfeeding. Inappropriate breastfeeding technique is the leading cause of nipple pain in Ethiopia, as in other countries. However, no studies have examined breastfeeding technique and associated factors in eastern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of assessing breastfeeding technique and associated factors among breastfeeding mothers.MethodWe conducted an institution based cross-sectional study in selected governmental health facilities of Harar city, Eastern, Ethiopia, from January to February 2017. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 422 study participants. Data were collected using pretested observational checklist and interviewer administered questionnaires containing sociodemographic, maternal and infant characteristics. The variables, positioning, attachment and suckling, were used to assess the outcome variable of breastfeeding technique. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify independent predictors of BFT after controlling for confounding variables.ResultThe proportion of mothers practicing an effective breastfeeding technique was 43.4% (179/412). Effective breastfeeding technique was 2.3 times more common among mothers with at least secondary school educational status compared to mothers with no formal education (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 2.3; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.1, 3.9). The practice of effective breastfeeding technique was significantly associated with mothers who had immediate breastfeeding technique counseling after birth (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1, 2.8) and at least two postnatal visits (AOR 5.9; 95% CI 2.1, 15.9) compared to one visit. Absence of breast problems and having previous breastfeeding experience were also associated with the likelihood of effective breastfeeding technique practice (AOR 4.0; 95% CI 1.4, 10.9) and (AOR 3.3; 95% CI 1.1, 10.7) respectively.ConclusionThe practice of effective breastfeeding technique was low. Effective breastfeeding technique practice was associated with higher educational status, previous information about breastfeeding technique, previous breastfeeding experience, absence of breast problems, receiving breastfeeding technique counseling immediately after birth and at least two postnatal visits. Therefore; health services should provide education about effective breastfeeding techniques and ensure postnatal care for all women, particularly primipara.

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of preterm births among mothers who gave birth in Axum and Adwa public hospitals, Tigray, North Ethiopia, 2018. Result This study showed that 13.3% from the total 472 mothers gave a preterm birth. Being a rural resident (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI (1.07,4.22), short inter pregnancy interval (AOR = 5.4, 95% CI (1.32, 22.05), previous preterm birth (AOR = 3.74, 95% CI (1.03, 16.34), Premature rupture of membrane (AOR = 4.14, 95% CI (1.92, 8.89), induced onset of labor (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI (1.06, 5.85) multiple pregnancy (AOR = 5.69, 95% CI (2.27, 14.28), malaria during pregnancy (AOR = 4.71, 95% CI (1.98, 11.23), Presence of chronic illness (AOR = 4.55, 95% CI (1.83, 11.26) were significantly associated with preterm birth.