Anaemia, anthropometric undernutrition and associated factors among mothers with children younger than 2 years of age in the rural Dale district, southern Ethiopia: A community‐based study

Seasonal variations in household food security and consumption affect women's nutritional status in rural South Ethiopia

Food availability varies seasonally in most rural areas of developing nations, especially in areas affected by drought and climate change, with women being one of the most vulnerable groups. This study aimed to assess the effect of seasonal variation in household food security, adequate dietary diversity, food consumption, and wealth on the nutritional status of women of reproductive age in a rural community in South Ethiopia. Further, the study aimed at identifying associated factors with women's nutrition status. An open cohort study was conducted from June 2021 to June 2022, with follow-up visits every three months. Anthropometric measurements were carried out along with interviews. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15. Multilevel, multiple linear regressions were employed. Findings revealed that women's average body mass index (BMI) was 20.4 kg/m2 (95% CI: 20.4-20.5). The highest (20.6 kg/m2, 95% CI: 20.5-20.8) was observed in December, while the lowest (20.2 kg/m2, 95% CI: 20-20.3) occurred in September. During the main postharvest period in December, the household food insecurity score was the lowest (median: 4, Inter quartile range (IQR): 0-9), while the household dietary diversity score (median: 6, IQR: 5-7), and the household food consumption score were the highest (median: 50.5, IQR: 44-70). Factors such as household food security, food consumption, previous season BMI, age, marital status, and membership in safety net programs were identified as determinants of women's BMI. The study showed the vulnerability of women in drought-prone areas to seasonal undernutrition. We recommend collaborative work among stakeholders to ensure sustainable food access and minimize seasonal food shortages' effect on women's nutrition and overall well-being.

Does livestock ownership predict animal-source food consumption frequency among children aged 6-24 months and their mothers in the rural Dale district, southern Ethiopia?

Background

Animal-source foods are food items that come from animals. Animal-source foods provide a variety of micronutrients that plant-source foods cannot provide to the same extent and without extra precaution. Milk, eggs, poultry, flesh meat and fish are animal-source foods mainly used in Ethiopia. Low animal-source food consumption among children and mothers is a great concern in many low-income settings. This study aimed to describe animal-source food consumption frequencies among children aged 6-24 months and their mothers in rural southern Ethiopia where livestock farming is very common. We also analysed the association between livestock ownership and animal-source food consumption among children and mothers.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 851 randomly selected households with child-mother pairs from August to November 2018. The study was conducted in the rural Dale District, southern Ethiopia. Structured and pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect data on mother and child information, livestock ownership, and animal-source foods consumption frequencies. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to describe associations between animal-source foods consumption and livestock ownership.

Result

Nearly, three-quarters (74.1%) of the households owned cows, and a quarter (25%) had goats or sheep. Dairy, egg and meat consumption among children during the past month was 91.8%, 83.0% and 26.2%, respectively. Likewise, the consumption of dairy, eggs and meat among mothers was 96.0%, 49.5% and 34.0%, respectively. The percentage of children who had not consumed any animal-source foods during the month prior to our survey was 6.6%, and the figure was 2.2% for the mothers. Dairy consumption was 1.8 times higher among children (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI [1.3-2.5]) and 3.0 times higher among mothers (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI [2.2-4.2]) in households that kept cows than in households without cows. The egg consumption frequency was positively associated with hen and goat/sheep ownership for both children and mothers. Meat consumption frequency among children was negatively associated with cow ownership (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI [0.45-0.95]); however, cow ownership was not associated with meat consumption among mothers.

Conclusion

Dairy products were common animal-source foods consumed by young children and mothers in the study area. However, meat consumption was low among children and mothers. Strategies like promoting the keeping of goats/sheep and hens to improve complementary feeding and mothers' nutrition are warranted in the study area.