International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research

2015 Vol.2, No.2, pp.36-49

ISSN(e): 2313-2752
ISSN(p): 2313-7746
DOI: 10.18488/journal.9/2015.2.2/9.2.36.49
© 2015 Asian Medical Journals. All Rights Reserved.

PREVALENCE OF STUNTING AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG

UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN WONDO GENET WOREDA, SIDAMA ZONE,
SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Yadessa Tegene Woldie1 --- Tefera Belachew2 --- Dejene Hailu3 --- Tesfalem
†
Teshome4 --- Hordofa Gutema5
1
Department of Health Information Technique, Hawassa College of health science, Hawassa, Ethiopia
2
Population and family health Department, College of public health and medical science, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
3
College of medicine and health sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
4
Department of Public Health, Hawassa College of health science, Hawassa, Ethiopia
5
Department of Health Education and promotion , College of medicine and health science, Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar Ethiopia

ABSTRACT
Background: Stunting is a serious health problem and deep rooted in southern Ethiopia of poor diet, in
adequate food intake, disease burden, population growth, poor health service delivery and repeated drought.
Objective: to assess the prevalence of stunting and associated factors among under five year’s old children in
the study area. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Wondo Genet Woreda from February,
25 to March 15, 2011. The sample size was determined using formula for estimating single population
proportion. The sample size was determined using formula for estimating single population proportion.
Three Kebele’s were selected by stratified two stage cluster sampling method and study households were
identified by simple random sampling technique from each ‘Kebele. The data was analyzed using SPSS
v.16.0 statistical software version16.0. For all statistical significance tests, the cut- off value set will be
p<0.05 with CI of 95%. Results: Out of 576 study participants 50.3% were stunted. Stunting was 3.1times
more common in households where decision was made by husband only (P=0.001), paternal education level
of 7-8 grade was 2.29 times the contributing factor of stunting [AOR= 2.29, 95% CI: 1.15-4.54].
Children who did not eat vegetable source foods were 2.54 times more likely to be stunted [AOR= 2.54,
95% CI: 1.20-5.37]. Conclusion and Recommendation: Prevalence of stunting in Wondo Genet Woreda is
similar when compared to the national figure and among female and male participants. Home delivery was
found to be the protective factors of stunting and similar impact was seen by displacement from usual
residence. Thus the community based nutrition program for prevention and early detection of stunting
should be strengthened.
Keywords: Stunting, Prevalence, Associated factors, Wondo genet, Ethiopia.

36
† Corresponding author
© 2015 Asian Medical Journals. All Rights Reserved.
 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

Received: 8 June 2014/ Revised: 18 November 2014/ Accepted: 22 November 2014/ Published: 26 November 2014

Contribution/ Originality
This study is the first of its kind in this study area. So it contributes for strengthening in the
existing literature at national and regional level.

1. INTRODUCTION
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that stunting is one of the most important
indices of child well-being throughout the world. In developing countries approximately 32%, or
186 million children <5 years of age are stunted. [1]
Stunting reflects long-term nutritional status of a child and is assessed by height-for-age.
The WHO considers two standard deviations less than the mean short-for-age or stunted. Three
standard deviations less than the mean are considered severely stunted and between two and
three standard deviation less than the mean is moderately stunted. The WHO has recommended
that the US National Center for Health Statistics growth charts be used as the reference
population when looking at growth patterns in children. During infancy and very early childhood,
low height-for-age is the most sensitive indicator for moderate malnutrition. If intervention
occurs early, then stunting that occurs during infancy may be reversible. Stunting generally
begins in infancy and develops within the first two years of life. In developing countries 30-60%
of children have some degree of stunting. [2, 3]
The highest levels of stunting are from Eastern Africa, where on average 50 % of preschool
children are affected in the year 2010. In Eastern Africa stunting is increasing at 0.08 % per year.
Over the period 2000 to 2005, numbers are expected to increase from about 22 to 24.4 million
preschool children. The recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of Ethiopia gives a similar
picture of the state of stunting to that of the 1998 survey. In this survey, the prevalence of
stunting in Ethiopia was 51.2 percent. According to the 1992 survey, national prevalence of
stunting in Ethiopia is (64 %) which was the highest in the world. [4-7]
The 2005 Ethiopian national survey has reported that, of all the under five children in the
country, 47% are stunted. This shows that the rate of stunting in Ethiopia is still higher than the
reported percent for developing countries. The situation of child malnutrition is different among
regions. For instance, in southern Ethiopia; the prevalence of stunting is 52 %, one of the highest
rates in Ethiopia and unacceptably high by any standards [8]. Reducing the prevalence of
stunting from 46% to 40% is one of the activities designed to be implemented in the first phase of
the national nutrition program. So far there is no study which documented the prevalence of
stunting and associated factors in the study area. The objective of this study is to assess the
prevalence of stunting and associated factors among under five years old children in Wondo
Genet Woreda, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia by hypothesizing There is high prevalence of
stunting in Wondo Genet Woreda compared to the recent national figures.

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© 2015 Asian Medical Journals. All Rights Reserved.
 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

2. METHODS AND MATERIALS

2.1. Study Design and Population
A cross sectional study was conducted among <5 year children of Wondo Genet Woreda
Sidama Zone southern Ethiopia. Wondo Genet Woreda has a total population of 128,476where
64,138 are males, 64,338were females and 20,043 of them were under five children. The major
crops produced in the area includes: root crops, false banana (Enset ventricosum) and maize, in their
order of production. Chat and coffee are the major cash crops in the area.

2.2. Participant and Sampling

The source population is all mothers who had children of <5 years residing at WondoGenet
Woreda during the study period, whereas the study population included mothers who were in the
study area and had apparently healthy < 5 year children, at the time of survey and were selected
for the study. Mothers having children age < 5 years old and who lived for more than six months
in the study area at the time of the study were included. While those children with gross physical
defect excluded from the study.
The sample size was calculated assuming proportion of 52% prevalence of stunting,
confidence interval of 95% and 5% margin of error (d). The sample size was determined to be 384.
But, in account for the design effect the number was after multiplied by 1.5 and the final sample
size was determined to be 576 participants. Stratified two stage cluster sampling was used to
select representative samples. Lists of Clusters (kebeles) existing in the Woreda was identified in
the first stage and three clusters were selected from the existing 13clusters based on Probability
Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling technique. Sampling interval was calculated by dividing total
cumulative under five populations (20,043) by the number of kebeles to be selected. By adding the
sampling interval to the random number, the number of <5 years age children selected from each
Kebele was obtained by PPS (probability proportional to the size).In stage two the numbers of
households in the selected clusters with children aged < 5 years of age were identified by
immunization cards from health posts and through house-to-house requests during the data
collection.
A stratified sampling frame was prepared, based on age and sex categories (≤24, 25-59
months), which had a list of all households in the selected clusters with eligible children aged < 5
years. Simple random sample was taken from each age stratum; yielding a required sample size of
apparently healthy children aged <5 years.

2.3. Operational Definition

Stunting: Reflects long-term cumulative effects of inadequate nutrition and health. Stunting
is defined as low height-for-age at < -2 SD of median value of the NCHS/WHO international
growth reference. Severe stunting is defined as <-3 SD.. Variables
Stunting was dependent variable. The child’s age and sex, age interval between two last
children, number of children <5 years, time of initiation of breast feeding, Duration of exclusive

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 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

breast feeding, Weaning practice, Immunization status, Child illness, Vitamin A supplementation,
Maternal age, ANC follow up, Place of delivery, Monthly income, Source of water, Number of
rooms, Presence of Latrine and Household food insecurity were independent Variables.

2.5. Data Collection Procedure

The study was conducted from February, 25 to March, 15, 2011. The questionnaire was
initially prepared in English and then translated into Amharic. The Amharic version was again
retranslated back to English by other individual to check for consistency of meaning. The
translated Amharic version questionnaire was pre-tested prior to the actual data collection on 5%
of the sample size on mothers of children aged less than 5 years who were not included in the
study. Training on how to conduct the interviews was given to the interviewers by the principal
investigator for two days. Questionnaires were administered to mothers (care takers) of the
children. The questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic characteristics, maternal
characteristics, child characteristics, and the feeding and caring patterns of the children.
The height of the children is measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using the Shorr sliding board for
children ≤2 years and a stadiometer was used by positioning them at the Frankfert plane for
children >2years. Study participants were barefoot while measuring their height. For the children
Z-scores, HAZ and LAZ was calculated based on the standard guidelines of WHO 2006
multicenter growth reference data using Anthro plus 2007 software. [9]

2.6. Statistical Analyses

The data was analyzed using SPSS Statistics software version 16. Data cleaning and
assumption checking were performed prior to proceeding to analysis. Descriptive statistical
analysis was done, Two sample Z test and independent sample t test were used to compare the
association between Wondo Genet Woreda and national figure and for comparison of gender
difference in stunting. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used for prediction of independent
variables to stunuing. To claim statistically significant effect, crude and adjusted odds ratio with
95% confidence interval (CI) was employed. The finding from all analysis was summarized and
presented by graphs, tables and other summery measures. For all statistical significance tests, the
cut- off value set will be p<0.05 with CI of 95%. Those children with height for age less than -2
standard deviations below median values were categorized as stunted.

2.7. Ethical Considerations

The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Clearance Committee of Hawassa University
and verbal consent was sought from mothers/caretakers before the interview. The data obtained
in due course were confidentially stored.

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 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

3. RESULTS
3.1. Socio Demographic Characteristics of the Study Population
Socio Demographic Characteristics of the Study Population presented in table 1. In this study
a total of five hundred seventy six participants were involved giving a response rate of 100%.
From the 576 participants, 288 (50%) were male children giving a male to female ratio of 1:1. The
mean age of the study participants were 34.8 ((±1.5) months. From the study participants 511
(88.7%) were protestant, and 43 (7.5%) were Orthodox. Majority of the study subjects 466
(80.9%) were Sidama, other account for 110 (20.1%). The majority 553 (96%) of the study
participants were married and lives in union. Most of the study subjects 433 (75.2%) had no
formal schooling and only 1 (0.2%) had completed college or universities level education while the
remaining 142 (24.65%) had attended formal schooling. Housewives and farmers account for 403
(70%) and 124 (21.5%) respectively and civil servants account the smallest figure 8 (1.4%).
The mean family size of the study participants was 6.35 (2.04) persons, while 30.7% of the
households had more than 7 family members. Of the households more than half of the study
participants 319 (55.4%) had two under five year old children and 5(0.5%) of the households had
four under five years of age. The majority 556 (96.5%) of children lived in male-headed
households. Farming was the major sources of income 483 (83.9%). In 321 (55.7%) of the
households decision on how the money would be spent was made only by husbands. Among the
respondents, 59.2% of the households had latrines covered with a shade while 10.4% did not have
a latrine. Access to safe water was reported by 91% of the respondents. In more than half of the
study participants 279 (48.4%) maize were their staple diet followed by kocho 247 (42.9%).

3.2. Child and Maternal Characteristics

Child and Maternal Characteristics presented in table 2 and 3. From the total number of
children who participated in the study, their birth order was: first birth for 46 (8%), second to
fourth birth for 284 (49.3%) and above third birth for 246 (42.7%) of the children. Concerning the
prevalence of common childhood illnesses prior to the past two weeks of the study; 77 (13.4%) of
children had diarrhea, 25 (4.3%) acute respiratory infection (ARI) and fever was seen in 10.9
(11.7%) of the children. In more than half of the study participants 322 (55.9%) interval between
the lastchildren were from 24-48 months and most of them557 (96.7%) were breast fed for more
than 6 months.
Majority of mothers 563 (97.7%) has attended ANC during their last pregnancy and slightly
above half of them 299 (51.9%) were married b/n the age of 18-35. Most of them 561 (97.4%)
gave birth to the index child at their home. Average total children born to a mother was 4.3
(±1.9).

3.3. Housing Condition and Reported Assets

Housing condition and reported assets of household presented in table 4. In the study area,
288 (50%) of the households had house type made of Grass roof hut (thatched roof) and the mean

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© 2015 Asian Medical Journals. All Rights Reserved.
 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

(SD) number of rooms in the houses were 2.3 (0.9%). Majority of the households 410 (71.2%) had
a farm land size of <0.25 hectares and 91(15.8%) had >0.25 hectare and the remaining 75(13%)
households had no farm land. The commonest cash crops in the area 210 (36.5) was chat. Most of
the households 446 (77.4%) had animals (such as ox, cow, horse, donkey, goat, sheep, or chicken)
while 22.6% of them had no animals. Concerning monthly income of the study subjects 505
(87.7%) were ≤500 Birr and the remaining 71 (12.3%) had monthly income of >500 Birr.

3.4. House Hold Food Security

House hold food security is presented in table 5. Slightly more than half of the study
participant households 298 (51.7%) were food secured, 194 (33.7%) were severely insecure and the
remaining 22 (3.8%) and 62(10.8%) were mildly and moderately food insecure respectively.

3.5. Anthropometric Measurement

Anthropometric measurement presented in table 6.Analysis of children nutritional status
based on the standard deviation unit from the median value for anthropometric indices (height-
for-age) revealed that 50.3% of the total children included in the survey were found to be stunted.
Even though there was a slight increase in prevalence of stunting, 149 (51.7%) in male than
female 141 (48.96%), it was not statistically significant (P=0.965).The mean HAS/LAS was
negative for both sex. The mean (SD) Height/Length of the study participant children was 87.48
(13.07) and 83.18 (14.14) for male female participants respectively.

3.6. Factors Associated with Stunting

Analysis was performed using binary logistic regression and the tests are presented in table
7. Based on the available information this study examined the influence of socio demographic,
economic, dietary, environmental, health care and immunization factors.
The result of this study showed that, except paternal education, decision making role in
utilization of money and total number of children in the house hold, there was no significant
association between under five children nutritional status (stunting) and all other socio
demographic factors. The result of the analysis showed that the highest proportion of stunted
children was observed in the households where decision making of money utilization was made by
husband only (AOR= 3.1 [95%CI: 1.61-5.99]). Concerning paternal education, those children in
house hold of paternal education level 7-8 grade were more likely to be stunted than paternal
education level above and below these grades. AOR= 2.29 [95% CI: 1.15-4.54]).
Concerning maternal and child characteristics; birth order and place of delivery were the
factors significantly associated with stunting. Those children with birth order 5-12 were 3.2 times
more likely to be stunted than those with birth order ≤ 5 (AOR= 3.19 [95%CI: 1.64-6.21]).
Children of mother who gave birth to their index child in health facility were 6.26 times more
likely to be stunted than those who gave birth at home(AOR=6.26[95% CI: 1.11-35.34]). Those
children who didn’t eat from vegetable source were 2.54 times more likely to be stunted than

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© 2015 Asian Medical Journals. All Rights Reserved.
 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

those children who ate (AOR= 2.54 [95% CI: 1.20-5.37]). Those children who ate fruit
occasionally were 68% less likely to be stunted than who did not eat fruit and who ate once a
week. Those who ate from animal source occasionally 47% less likely to be stunted (AOR= 0.53
[95% CI: 0.29-0.97]). Children of households not displaced from their usual residence 2.9 times
more likely to be stunted than displaced children (AOR=2.92[95%CI: 1.36-6.28]).

4. DISCUSION
We found out that the prevalence of Stunting was 50.3%, the rate being 51.7 for boys and
48.96% for female. Other than a slight decrement, the result was parallel with the 2005 national
and regional (SNNPRS) figure of Ethiopia which is 47% and 52%, respectively [8]. There is no
significant difference in prevalence of stunting between the national figure of 2005 and under five
children of Wondo Genet Woreda (P>0.05).
Age and sex are important demographic variables and are the primary basis of demographic
classification in most cross-sectional studies in developing countries and here in Ethiopia have
shown that female children are at higher risk of stunting than male children. Few studies showed
boys are more malnourished than girls. Study conducted in West Gojam Zone revealed, male
children’s face nutritional disadvantages compared to female children. Even though male
preference is prominent in this study area and studies in Ethiopia tending to show that it is female
infants who usually receive less food than their male counterparts surprisingly, there is no
significant association between gender difference and stunting (p>0.05). Similarly, study
conducted in Gaza striprevealed as there is no difference in stunting between boys and girls [10-
14]. The finding of this study revealed that sex preference doesn’t face nutritional disadvantage
in Wondo Genet Woreda.
Although the pathways through which paternal education may influence stunting have been
less frequently investigated, work from Indonesia and Bangladesh suggests that these may
include health-promoting behaviors such as childhood vaccination, family planning, attendance at
the local health clinic and vitamin A supplementation [15]. Study conducted by EHNRI also
revealed that likelihood of being stunted was 1.4 times higher among children of father who has
no education compared with children whose father has some secondary or higher education.
Children whose father had some primary education were also 1.3 times more likely to be stunted
compared to children whose father had some secondary or higher education [16]. Contrary to the
above reports, in this study we have observed significant positive association between paternal
education (grade 7-8) and child stunting (P<0.05). The probable reason for this finding might be
those father in this range of educational level may not be employed in different organization
because of their academic rank or they might be attending their education, so may not get enough
time and money to care for their children.
Study conducted in Nepal showed that power over economic decisions regarding food is not
favorable for children’s nutritional status when held solely by the mother or father. They found
that when parents share power over what food to buy or what to cook, children enjoy slightly

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 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

better growth than their counterparts whose parents do not share power [17]. Similar to the
above findings in this study we found a significant positive association between decision making
role made by only the husband and stunting (AOR= 3.11[95%CI: 1.61-5.99]). Those children of
parents’ decision making role on utilization of money handled only by the husband were 3.1 times
more likely to be stunted than others. Study conducted in Ecuador showed as malnutrition rates
were much higher for children who were born at home; the stunting rate for home-born children
was 37.8 percent, compared with 18.6 percent for those born in institutional settings. The ratio
was almost 2 to 1 in most cases [18].In this study a significant association between place of
delivery and stunting was found, which is contrary to the above findings. Those children born in
health facility were 6.26 times more likely to be stunted (AOR= 6.26[95%CI: 1.11-35.34]). This
may not be surprising because in our study area mothers seek medical help only when they face
difficulty during labor and delivery. Mal nutrition is one cause of abnormal labour for mothers,
and it has an intergenerational cycle.
Infant-feeding practices constitute a major component of child caring practices apart from
socio- economic, demographic, health care and environmental factors [19]. In this study it was
observed that those children who ate from animal source occasionally are less likely to be stunted
by 47% than who didn’t eat and those who consume every day. Those who ate fruit occasionally
were less likely to be stunted by 68%. Children who didn’t eat vegetables were more likely to be
stunted than who ate (AOR=2.54[95%CI: 1.20-5.37]).
Birth order of the child is one of the demographic variables explaining the risk of stunting in
children. Study conducted in other parts of Ethiopia revealed that Children of first birth order
were found to be at a significantly higher risk of stunting than children of higher birth order
[16]. Contrary to this study, there is a significant positive association between higher birth order
and stunting. Similar finding was observed in study conducted by EDHS [8]. This higher risk of
stunting in higher birth order children could be due to shortage of resource because of large
family size.
Study conducted in Peru revealed a significant association of displacement from usual
residence and child stunting [20]. Similarly study from Mexico also revealed the positive
association between stunting and displacement [21]. However we found out negative impact of
non displacement from usual residence on child stunting (2.92[95%CI: 1.36-6.28]) .Non displaced
children were nearly 2.92 times more likely to be stunted than displaced. The possible reason for
this unexpected finding might be shortage of money which urged them to stay at home during the
disaster time.

4.1. Limitation of the Study

This study is based on the reported answers and anthropometric measurement. There may be
recall bias in reporting feeding practice and food security issues in spite of asking short duration
history.

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 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

4.2. Conclusion and Recommendation

Prevalence of stunting is similar when compared to the national figure and among female
and male participants. Decision made by husband only on money utilization and increase in birth
order were contributing factors for an increase in stunting rate. Home delivery was found to be
the protective factors of stunting and similar impact was seen by displacement from usual
residence. There is no significant gender difference in prevalence of stunting and the result also
showed that as there is no significant difference between National and Wondo Genet Woreda
figure in prevalence of stunting in fewer than five children. It is recommended thatstrengthening
the community based nutrition program for prevention and early detection of stunting,
Encourage mothers (care takers) to feed their child from vegetable source food and empowerment
of women by creating awareness in the general population so that they made decision on money
utilization for better child caring practices should be in place.

4.3. Authors' Contributions

YT conceived and designed the study is principal investigator. DH, YT and TB analysis and
interpretation of the data, TT and HG drafted the manuscript. YT and TB participated in the
critical review of the manuscript. All authors gave their final approval of the version of the
manuscript submitted for publication

Funding: This study received no specific financial support.

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Contributors/Acknowledgement: The authors gratefully acknowledge Hawassa University and NORAD
Project for funding this study. We are also thankful to the study participants for their voluntary
participation and Wondo Genet Woreda Heath Office for their support in providing pertinent information.

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Table-1. Sociodemographic characteristics of study subjects in Wondo Genet Woreda, southern Ethiopia (n=576)
Socio-demographic variables Frequency Percent
Household head
Male headed 556 96.5
Female headed 20 3.5
Maternal education
Have no formal education 433 75.2
Have formal education 143 24.8
Paternal education
Have no formal education 334 58
Have formal education 242 42
Maternal occupation
House wife 403 70
Civil servant 8 1.4
Farmer 124 21.5
Petty trader 32 5.6
Others1 9 1.6
Marital status
Married in union 553 96
Married not in union 10 1.7
Divorced 5 0.9
Widowed 8 1.4
Religion
Muslim 21 3.6
Orthodox 43 7.5
Protestant 511 88.9
Others2 1 0.2
Source of income
Farming 483 83.8
Daily laborer 17 3
Others3 76 13.2
Decision making on use of money(n=576)
Mainly husband 156 27.1
Only husband 96 16.7
Both jointly 321 55.7
Only wife 3 0.5
Ethnicity(n=576)
Sidama 466 80.9
Oromo 46 8
Amhara 11 1.9
Others4 53 9.2
1-Evajelist, traditional healer 2-Jova, Catholic, 4-Wolayita, Hadiya,
Adventist 3-donation, merchant, silte, gurage
civil servant

Table-2.Maternal and Child characteristics of the study subjects in Wondo Genet Woreda, 2011 (n=576)
Maternal and Child characteristics Frequency Percent
Sex of the index child
Male 228 50
Female 228 50
Birth order of the index child
1-2 129 22.4
3-4 201 34.9
≥5 246 42.7
Interval between the last children(n=545)

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 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

<24 month 183 31.8

24-48month 322 55.9
≥48month 40 6.9
Duration of breast feeding
<6 month 19 3.3
≥6 month 557 96.7
Bottle feeding
Bottle fed 94 16.3
Not bottle fed 482 83.7
Vaccination status
Vaccinated 567 98.4
Not vaccinated 9 1.6
Vitamin A supplementation
Yes 496 86.1
No 80 13.9
Diarrhea in the past two weeks
Yes 77 13.4
No 499 86.6
ARI in the past two weeks
Yes 25 4.3
No 551 95.7
Fever in the past two weeks
Yes 63 10.9
No 513 89.1
Complimentary feeding started
Immediately after birth 4 0.7
1-6 month 107 18.6
6- 12 month 451 78.3
After 12 month 12 2.1
Not started 2 0.3
Pre lacteal feeding
Yes 64 11.1
No 512 88.9
Feeding from animal source
Yes every day 83 14.4
Yes occasionally 418 72.6
No 75 13
Feeding from fruit
Yes, once a week 39 6.6
Yes, occasionally 203 35
No 335 58.2

Table-3. Maternal and Child characteristics of the study subjects in Wondo Genet Woreda, 2011 (n=576)
Maternal and Child characteristics
Frequency Percent
Feeding from vegetable
Yes, once a week 93 16.1
Yes, occasionally 215 37.3
No 268 46.5
ANC during the last pregnancy
Yes 563 97.7
No 13 2.3
Place of delivery
Home 561 97.4
Health facility 15 2.6

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 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

Delivery attended by
TBA 413 75.3
Health personnel 17 3
Others 125 21.7
Maternal age at marriage
18-35 277 48.1
>35 299 59.9
Total under five children born to a mother (Mean + SD) 1.7±0.6
Total children born to a mother (Mean + SD) 4.3±1.9

Table-4.Housing condition and reported assets of the study participants in Wondo Genet Woreda, 2011(n=576)
Housing condition and reported assets
Name Frequency Percent
House type
Grass roof hut (thatched roof) 288 50
Corrugated iron roof 282 49
Walls covered with cement andCorrugated ironroof 6 1
Number of rooms in the house
1-2 353 61.3
3-5 223 38.7
Land ownership
Land size ≤ 0.25 hectare 410 71.2
Land size > 0.25 hectare 91 15.8
Do not have their own land 75 13
Farm animals
Own farm animals 446 77.4
Do not own farm animals 130 22.6
Cash Crop production (n=343)
Coffee 3 0.5
Fruit 28 4.9
Chat 210 36.5
Monthly income(Birr)
<500 505 87.7
≥500 71 12.3
Staple food of house hold
Kocho 247 42.9
Maize 279 48.4
Teff 50 8.7

Table-5. House holds food security of study participants in Wondo Genet Woreda, 2011 (n=576)
Food security status %
Food secured 298 51.7
Mildly food insecure 22 3.8
Moderately food insecure 62 10.8
Severely food insecure 194 33.7

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© 2015 Asian Medical Journals. All Rights Reserved.
 International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 2015, 2(2): 36-49

Table-6. Mean +SD anthropometric measurements of children involved in the study,(n=576)

Sex of child
Anthropometric Male Female P
Height (cm) 87.48 ± 13.07 83.18 ± 14.14 0.043
Height –for- age Z score -1.95 ± 2.65 -2.37 ± 3.00 0.292

Table-7. Analysis of selected characteristics of stunted and non- stunted children in Wondo Genet Woreda, Southern
Ethiopia (logistic regression analysis) (n=576)
Factor associated with stunting
Variables Stunted Non stunted Crude OR Adjusted OR
No. ( %) No. ( %)
Decision in money
utilization
Mainly husband 68[11.80] 88[15.28] 1 1
Only husband 64[11.11] 32[5.56] 0.39[0.04-4.35] 3.11[1.61-5.99] **
Both jointly 156[27.08] 165[28.65] 1[0.09-11.45] 1.16[0.67-2.01]
Only wife 2[0.35] 1[0.17] 0.47[0.04-5.27] 0.35[0.02-8.23]
Displacement
Displaced 15[2.60] 39[6.77] 1 1
Non displaced 275[47.74] 247[42.88] 0.35[0.19-0.64] ** 2.92[1.36-6.28] **
Paternal education
Not educated 166[28.82] 168[29.17] 1 1
Read and write 24[4.17] 27[4.69] 1.98[0.49-8.03] 0.56[0.28-1.12]
Grade1-6 46[7.99] 47[8.16] 1.78[0.40-7.89] 1.09[0.61-1.95]
Grade7-8 33[5.73] 21[3.65] 1.96[0.46-8.29] 2.29[1.15-4.56] *
Grade9-12 18[3.13] 17[2.95] 3.14[0.71-13.95] 1.08[0.46-2.54]
College/University 3[0.52] 6[1.04] 2.12[0.46-9.84] 0.51[0.09-2.93]
Place of delivery
Home 278[48.26] 283[49.13] 1 1
Health facility 12[2.08] 3[0.52] 0.25[0.07-0.88] * 6.26[1.11-35.34] *
Birth order
1-2 60[10.42] 69[11.98] 1 1
3-4 99[17.19] 102[17.71] 0.76[0.49-1.17] 1.39[0.79-2.46]
5-12 131[22.74] 115[19.97] 0.85[0.59-1.24] 3.19[1.64-6.21] **
Fed animal source
Yes every day 46[7.99 37[6.42] 1 1
Yes occasionally 198[34.38 220[38.19] 0.78[0.42-1.48] 0.53[0.29-0.97] **
No 46[7.99 29[5.03] 0.57[0.34-0.94] * 1.07[0.49-2.36]
Fed fruit
Yes once a week 22[3.82] 16[2.78] 1 1
Yes occasionally 93[16.15] 110[19.09] 1.26[0.64-2.48] 0.32[0.13-0.79] *
No 175[30.38] 160[27.78] 0.77[0.55-1.09] 0.52[0.11-1.73]
Fed vegetable
Yes once a week 40[6.94] 53[9.20] 1 1
Yes occasionally 98[17.01] 117[20.31] 0.58[0.36-0.93] 1.64[0.89-3.05]
No 152[26.39] 116[20.14] 0.64[0.45-0.92] * 2.54[1.20-5.37] *
**: P<0.01 *: P<0.05

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