Background: The Ethiopian regions have a relatively higher prevalence of under-nutrition are found in the lowlands of the country, with the exception of the highlands of Tigiray, where under-nutrition is also prevalent. The intention of this study was to compare anthropometric nutritional status and associated factors of lactating women between lowland and highland communities of district Raya Alamata, Southern Tigiray, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted from January 27-March 7, 2014. Sample size was determined by two population estimation formula. The total calculated sample size was 456. A stratified sampling technique was used to stratify the study area to highland and lowland. Study participants were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements and structured questionnaire. The raw data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Bivariate and multivariable Logistic regression was done to determine the association between explanatory variable with chronic energy deficiency (CED) using body mass index (BMI), by computing odds ratio at 95% confidence level. A P -value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: The prevalence of CED of lactating mothers from lowland and highland was 17.5% and 24.6% respectively. After multivariable logistic regression: age, husband occupation, taking vitamin A immediately after delivery or within the first 8 weeks after delivery and consumption of extra food during lactation time were factors associated with chronic energy deficiency for lowland lactating women whereas parity, number of meals per day and household consumption of iodized salt were factors associated with chronic energy deficiency for highland lactating women. Conclusion: CED in both comparative studies were a serious public health problem. As it is known food security does not mean nutritionally secured, Therefore, the need to develop nutrition intervention such as nutrition security programs to address under-nutrition in the study area is significant, as it was found food secured participants were slightly vulnerable than food insecure. The dietary diversity score of the participants were very low so that encourage the community about nutrition diversification is substantial for adequate nutrient intake.

Background Since bottle feeding has an impact on the effectiveness of breastfeeding and appropriate supplemental feeding, the World health organization recommends being avoided for infant and early child feeding. Thus, this study aimed to assess the level of the bottle-feeding practice and its associated factors among mothers of 0–24 month’s children in Asella town, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 8-April 8, 2022, among a sample of 692 mothers of children aged 0–24 months. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study subjects. Data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview technique questionnaire. The outcome variable bottle-feeding practice (BFP) was assessed using WHO and UNICEF UK healthy baby initiative BF assessment tools. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between explanatory and outcome variables. Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of the association and a p-value < 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results A total of 692 mothers with mean age and standard deviation (SD) of 31.86 (± 4.87) participated in the study. The prevalence of bottle-feeding practice was 246(35.5% with 95% CI: (31.8, 39.5). Mothers who were government-employed (AOR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.64), mothers who delivered at home (AOR: 3.74, 95% CI: 2.58–5.42), mothers who did not attend postnatal care (AOR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.60,5.44) and mother who had negative attitude (AOR: 1.94, 95%CI: 1.34,2.8) were significantly associated with bottle feeding practices. Conclusion The BFP were higher in the study area when compared with national reports of practices. The occupational status of the mothers, place of delivery, attending postnatal care, and attitude of the mothers were factors that increased bottle-feeding practice in the study area. Strengthening dietary behavioral modification for mothers who have children 0–24 months of the child to practice appropriate feeding is recommended.