UNDERNUTRITION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MOTHERS ENROLLED IN PRODUCTIVE SAFTY NET PROGRAM IN SILTI WOREDA IN RURAL COMMUNITY‟S SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA: COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: maternal under nutrition is an issue of prime importance for every countryworldwide including Ethiopia. As a result, this study is proposed to generate requiredcomparative information among enrolled and non-enrolled mothers in the program in Siltiworeda, Southern EthiopiaObjective: To determine under nutrition status and associated factors among mothers enrolledto productive safety net program in Silti woreda in rural community, southern Ethiopia 2021.Method: Community-based comparative cross-sectional study design was employed fromApril 10, 2021 to June 10, 2021 among 642 mothers selected sample in Silti woreda..Result: The overall prevalence of under nutrition among mothers was 25.8% (95%CI: 22.3-29.0) the prevalence was higher among mothers for those enrolled in PSNP (28.8% (95%CI:23.7-33.9) than for those non- enrolled in PSNP (22.9% (95%CI: 18.4-27.6). Mothers education (AOR =2.375, 95%CI: 1.267-4.451), nutrition information (AOR =1.896, 95%CI:1.040-3.457) ,dietary diversity(AOR =2.464 frequency of meal per day (AOR = 2.233, 95%CI: 1.204-4.140)and hand washing (AOR =1.999, 95%CI: 1.139-3.510) were found to be significant predictors of under nutrition among mothers non enrolled in PSNP while ,mothers education (AOR =1.973, 95%CI: 1.182-3.293), frequency of meal per day (AOR = 2.188, 95%CI: 1.239-3.863) , nutrition information (AOR =2.821, 95%CI: 1.469-5.419) and time take tofetch water(AOR =1.974, 95%CI: 1.091-3.573) were found to be a significant predictors ofundernutrition among mothers enrolled in PSNP Conclusion and recommendations: Lack of formal education ,low exposure of nutritional information and lack adequate frequency of meal were found to be a significant predictors of undernutrition among mothers both enrolled and non-enrolled in PSNP. Therefore, need attention through creating awareness about nutritional information, and other sector collaboration with in the study area.