Risk Factors associated with Child Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Abstract

Malnutrition is one of the most important causes for improper physical and mental development of children.The objective of this study was to identify the most important factors that affect child malnutrition status of children in Ethiopia. In this study the data was obtained from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2016 by the Central Statistical Agency. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression were used for statistical data analysis and variables significant at 5% level of significance were considered as significant. From chi-square test, Partner occupation (group), partner education level, birth order number, wealth index combined, region, sex of child and place of residence had significant association with child malnutrition. From the result of our study we have concluded that the wealth index combined, Partner occupation (group), birth order number, sex of child, place of residence and region were found to have significance effect on child malnutrition in Ethiopia using ordinal logistic regression model. Since in Amehara more affected by malnutrition relatively other regions; then the government should impose an action to create opportunity for improving the Childs health. For prevention of malnutrition the government and the concerned bodies should encourage education of family planning methods to be applicable by families