Prevalence of Chronic Energy Deficiency and Associated Factors among Non-pregnant and Non-lactating Rural Women (18-49 Ages) in Mirab-Badwacho District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Non-pregnant and non-lactating women are the most vulnerable and neglected segments in most society. However, the non-pregnant and non-lactating women are the best window of opportunity to implement strategies, to correct maternal and child death and improve good pregnancy outcomes especially in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency and associated factors among rural women (18-49 ages) in Mirab-Badwacho district, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A community based cross sectional study was employed. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 634 study participants. Data were collected by structured questionnaire by trained data collectors. Descriptive statistics was done and the association between the dependent and independent variables was measured using OR at 95% confidence interval.

Results: The overall prevalence of chronic energy deficiency among non-lactating and non-pregnant women was 35.2% (95% CI: 31.5%, 38.9%). Age of the respondents (AOR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.46), family size (AOR= 1.61, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.27), meal frequency per day in the past 24 hours (AOR=3.18, 95% CI: 1.26, 8.05), drinking treated water (AOR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.08), and past history of illness (AOR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.26) were statistical significantly associated with women’s chronic energy deficiency.

Conclusion: Chronic energy deficiency was found to be high in the study area. Therefore, sustained health and nutrition education should be recommended to the communities on health care practices, proper water treatments, feeding practices and dietary diversifications in order to improve health and nutrition outcomes of non-pregnant and non-lactating women.