DETERMINANTS OF UNDERWEIGHT AMONG LACTATING MOTHERS: IN ANLEMO WOREDA, HADIYA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abebe Haile*, Nigussie Temesgen and Amanuel Eramo

ABSTRACT

Under-nutrition is a serious problem in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly the study area (Anlemo woreda). The aim of this study was undertaken to investigate the determinants of underweight among lactating mothers in Anlemo woreda. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted on 266 sample lactating mothers from six kebeles (local). A household survey was undertaken using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS version 22), for descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. Binary logistic analysis was used to test association between each independent variable with dependent variable at P< 0.2. Nutritional status of lactating mothers were observed as normal, underweight, overweight and obese was 51.9%, 24.8%, 20.3% and 3%, respectively. Findings of this study revealed that the educational status of lactating mothers [AOR = 6.0, 95% CI: 1.09, 35.3], monthly income [AOR= 8.27, 95% CI: 1.2, 56.85], number of meals [AOR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.19, 0.56] and ANC follow up [AOR = 13, 95%CI: 1.42, 21.3] were found significant determinants with underweight of lactating mothers (P< 0.05).The factors propagate under nutrition which puts substantial burden on lactating mothers in Anlemo woreda. Local government of the Anlemo woreda should give emphasis on lactating mother’s education, income source improvement, health practices and feeding pattern is a vital to reduce under nutrition problem of the community.

Keywords: Nutritional Status, Lactating Mothers, Determinants, Underweight, Southern Ethiopia.