Risk Factors of Stunting Among Children Aged 6-59 Months In Bensa District ISTRICT, Sidama Region, South Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study

Background: Stunting remains one of the most common under-nutrition problems among children in the Ethiopia. Children aged 6-59 months share for 35–45% of the burden in endemic areas. Identifying the causes of stunting assists health planners to prioritize prevention strategies, and is a fundamental step for intervention. However, evidence scarce about risk factors of stunting among children aged 6-59 months in study area. Therefore, this study aimed to assess risk factors of stunting among children aged 6-59 months in Bensa district, South Ethiopia; 2019. Methods: : A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from January 10 to March 10, 2018 on a sample of 237(79 cases and 158 controls) children aged 6-59 months with their respective mothers. Data were collected using a structured, face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire and standard physical measurements. The data were entered using EPINFO version 7 and WHO Anthro software version 3.0.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi-square(X 2 ) test was used to determine the overall association between explanatory and outcome variables. The variables were entered to the multivariable model using the backward stepwise regression approach. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with stunting. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to evaluate the presence and strength of associations. Results: : Diarrhea in past two weeks (AOR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.42-5.16) and male sex (AOR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.224-4.59) were positively associated with stunting. The odds of stunting increased 2.7 times for children who had inappropriate exclusive breast feeding (AOR =2.07, 95%CI: 1.07-4.01) as compared to those who had the appropriate exclusive breast feeding. Having less than or equal to three under five children in the household (AOR = 2.18, 95%CI: 03-4.64), and mothers had no formal education (AOR =3.28, 95%CI: 1.56-6.924) were positively associated with stunting. Conclusions: : Male sex, diarrhea in past two weeks, inappropriate exclusive breast feeding, number of the under five children in the household and mothers had no formal education were major predictors of the stunting. Educating mothers/care takers on Infant and Young Child Feeding practice. Findings support a focus on prevention of diarrhea as part of an overall public health strategy for improving child health and nutrition.