MAGNITUDE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF WASTING AMONG ORPHAN CHILDREN AGED 6-59 MONTHS IN GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA 2025: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Wasting remains key public health problem of developing countries, it hinders children's ability to reach their full potential, which weakens their society and undermines healthy growth. Orphans are prone to living in extreme poverty and often have limited access to social and medical care, which puts them at higher risk of under nutrition. On the other hand, not much is known regarding the prevalence of under nutrition and its associated factors among children aged 6-59 months. There is a lack of evidence on orphan nutrition, leaving this high-risk population overlooked in both research and policy interventions. .Objective: To assess the prevalence of wasting and its associated factors among orphan children aged 6-59 months in Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia, 2025. Method: Community based a Cross-sectional study design was conducted on 338 orphan children aged 6-59 months in Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia from Dec 30/2024-Feb 20/2025.The prevalence of wasting among Orphans was computed by WHO Anthro software. Data were entered using EPi-Data version 3.1 software and then exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictors of wasting among orphan children aged 6-59 months. After having all variables with p value < 0.25 in bivariate, multivariate analysis was carried out to see the effect of each independent variable on wasting. Variables with a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. .Results: The prevalence of wasting among orphan children aged 6-59 months in the study area was 14.1%; 95%CI: 10.4-18.5). Dietary diversity(AOR=5.4; CI % 1.83-16.07), having no formal education of the caregiver [AOR=9.14, 95%CI1.4-59.4)], children whose parent died at the age of 6-11 months (AOR=7.6,95%CI(1.8-33) and household food insecurity[AOR=3.6,95%CI(1.07-12.1)] were found to be significantly associated with wasting among orphan children aged 6-59 months in the multivariable logistic regression analysis Conclusion and Recommendation: the prevalence of wasting among orphaned children age 6- 59 months was markedly high; therefore, all relevant stakeholders should give serious attention to the proposed interventions by incorporating nutrition assistance services that are offered locally to effectively reach orphaned children aged 6-59 months