In Ethiopia uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is managed at health posts level through the outpatient therapeutic program (OTP). Yet, evidence on the treatment success rate of the program is scarce. This study determines the treatment outcomes and predictors of time-to-recovery among children 6–59 months of age with SAM managed at the health posts level in Shebedino district, Southern Ethiopia. This was a prospective cohort study that enrolled 216 children with SAM identified through a campaign conducted in May 2015 and treated over eight weeks at 25 health posts of the district. The average time-to-recovery was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the independent predictors of the recovery were determined using multivariable Cox-proportional hazard model. The outputs of the analyses are presented via adjusted hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals (AHR, CI). At the end of the eight weeks of treatment 79.6% (95% CI: 74.2–85.0%) of cases recovered from SAM with a weight gain rate of 5.4 g/kg/day. The median time-to-recover was 36 days. The analysis indicated, maternal illiteracy (0.54, 0.38–0.78), severe household food insecurity (0.47, 0.28–0.79), walking for more than 1 h to receive the treatment (0.69, 0.50–0.96), diarrhoea co-morbidity (0.63, 0.42–0.91) and practicing sharing of ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) (0.53, 0.32–0.88) were associated with slower propensity of recovery from SAM. Children who were enrolled with marasmus diagnosis showed lower recovery than children with kwashiorkor (0.30, 0.18–0.51). The median time-to-recover was 36 days. Discouraging sharing of RUTF, appropriate management of diarrhoea in SAM cases and improving access to OTP sites can help to improve the treatment outcome for SAM.

Nutritional status of children is an important outcome measure of their health status. However, nutritional status and associated factors of pastoralist children were not well documented in Benna Tsemay Woreda, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was designed to assess nutritional status and associated factors among pastoralist children aged 6-23 months in Benna Tsemay Woreda, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross sectional study was conducted among 645 pastoralist children aged 6-23 months from February-March 2016. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select kebeles (smallest administrative unit) and children. Out of thirty-two kebeles, six were randomly selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, 24 hour food recall and anthropometric measurements. Quantitative data were collected and analyzed using SPSS for windows version 20.0. Anthropometric indices were computed using WHO Anthro 2011 software (version 3.2.2). Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Prevalence of stunting and underweight were higher in fewer than two children in Benna Tsemay compared to the national average. This study showed, being older child (12-23 months) (AOR=3.29, 95%CI, 2.03-5.32), being from agro-pastoralist (AOR=0.46, 95%CI, 0.24-0.88), middle wealth quantile household (AOR=0.40, 95%CI, 0.20-0.77), use of treated water (AOR=0.60, 95%CI, 0.37-0.96), being second birth order (AOR=2.17, 95%CI, 1.11-4.24), being female child (AOR=0.55, 95%CI, 0.37-0.82) and good child feeding practice of mothers (AOR=0.47, 95%CI, 0.28-0.78) were significantly associated with stunting of pastoralist children in Benna Tsemay Woreda (p<0.05). Having large family size (≥6 individuals) (AOR=30.93, 95%CI, 4.91-194.7), polygamous marriage (AOR=2.46, 95%CI, 1.07-5.61), being from agro-pastoralist (AOR=0.19, 95%CI, 0.05-0.66) and farming as maternal occupation (AOR=3.00, 95%CI, 1.36-6.62) were significantly affected with thinness of children (p<0.05). Being from pastoralist (AOR=3.18, 95%CI, 1.74-5.81) and being female child (AOR=0.35, 95%CI, 0.14-0.89) were significantly predicted underweight in children (p<0.05). In conclusion, high numbers of pastoralist children are suffering from chronic malnutrition with low dietary diversity score (DDS). Large numbers of mothers have poor infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. Being from pastoralist and poor family, elder and male child, and poor IYCF practices, polygamous marriage, and poor health service are factors for child under nutrition. Therefore, the authors recommend interventions targeting on community-based nutrition education on IYCF, dietary diversity, cultural food taboos, and family planning in Benna Tsemay pastoralist community.

Background: A sizable cross-sectional studies demonstrated a low dietary diversity in Southern Ethiopia. However, its seasonal trend has not been well studied in areas where nutrient-poor enset (false banana (Ensete ventricosum)) foods are major staple. Moreover, there is scarcity of information on seasonal nature of anthropometric status of mother–child pairs (MCP) from the same areas in Southern Ethiopia. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the dietary diversity and anthropometric status of MCP in postharvest dry and lean wet seasons and identify factors associated with anthropometric status. Methods: The dietary intake and anthropometric data were collected from 578 households (578 mothers and 578 children) January–June 2017. The study compared data of the two seasons using McNemar’s test for dichotomous, Wilcoxon signed-rank test for non-normally distributed, and paired samples t-test for normally distributed continuous data. Logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors for malnutrition. In addition, Spearman’s Rho test was used to determine correlations between maternal and child variables. Results: Over 94% of the mothers did not fulfil the minimum diet diversity score in both seasons. The meal frequency and pulses/legumes intake significantly declined in lean wet season; however, dark green leaves consumption increased. Meat, poultry, and fish consumption dropped to almost zero in the lean wet season. The dietary diversity and anthropometric status of the MCP were correlated. Weight-for-age (WAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ) of children significantly declined in the lean wet season. In the same way, maternal mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), body weight, and body mass index (BMI) dropped (p < 0.001) in this season. Being pregnant and a lactating mother, poverty, and the ability to make decisions independently predicted maternal undernutrition (low MUAC). On the other hand, maternal undernutrition and education were associated with child underweight. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the dietary diversity of MCP is low in both postharvest dry and lean wet seasons. This suggests the need for continuous nutrition intervention to improve the dietary diversity. In addition, the anthropometric status of MCP declines in lean wet season. This may provide some clue for policy targeting on improving nutritional status of mothers and children in rural Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Tools for the rapid and accurate analysis of nutrient intakes from diets of individuals in Southern Ethiopia are lacking. The Calculator of Inadequate Micronutrient Intake program for Ethiopia (CIMI-Ethiopia) has been developed to overcome this problem. CIMI-Ethiopia also computes protein and energy intakes from the diet. The objectives of the current study were to validate CIMI-Ethiopia for the dietary pattern of Southern Ethiopia, and assess the nutrient intakes in postharvest dry and lean wet seasons. Methods: 24-h dietary recall (24HR) data was collected from 578 women of a reproductive age in postharvest dry and lean wet seasons in 2017. For analysis, 24HR data was entered into NutriSurvey (NS), which was the reference nutrition software, and then into CIMI-Ethiopia. For validation, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the difference between CIMI-Ethiopia and NS were computed. The percentage of participants with an inadequate intake was calculated. The correlation between CIMI-Ethiopia and NS results was determined. The nutrient intakes in postharvest dry and lean seasons were compared. Results: Among the nutrients, pantothenic acid, vitamin B1, and protein showed a very high accuracy in CIMI-Ethiopia calculation (|difference (D)| < 5.0% of the NS result). Nutrients with a good accuracy (|D| = 5%–15%) were iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and energy. The accuracy for calcium, niacin, and vitamin A was moderate (|D| = 15%–30%). The intakes calculated by CIMI-Ethiopia and NS of iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, protein, and energy were highly correlated (r = 0.85–0.97, p < 0.001). NS analysis identified a significant reduction in the mean intake of iron; zinc; magnesium; pantothenic acid; vitamin B1, B12, and D; protein; and energy in the lean wet season; however, calcium and vitamin A intake increased. Conclusions: It has been found that CIMI-Ethiopia is a valid tool for estimating nutrient intakes at an individual level in Southern Ethiopia. The study demonstrated a decline in intakes of iron; zinc; magnesium; pantothenic acid; vitamin B1, B12, and D; protein; and energy in the lean wet season. This result provides some hint for fortification and supplementation programs that aim to combat maternal malnutrition in rural Southern Ethiopia.

Understanding the drivers of food choice is essential to guide the nutrition interventions and tailor nutrition counseling messages. There is strong evidence from a published study, which demonstrate attention for the need to consider the wide range of drivers during food choice. Due to the large variety of food products on the market, consumers make a multitude of food choice daily. The study aimed to assess major motivational drivers of food choice among randomly selected lactating women aged 15–49 years (423) from Debrebirhan Town using face to face interview. Logistic regression analysis was used to find association b/socio-economic variables and motivational drivers of food choice using SPSS version 20. Candidate variables were selected and transferred using the P- a value of less than 0.25, and AOR was reported. Variables with a P-value less than 0.05 on multiple variable logistic regressions were taken as significant variables. Influences of religion, price, preparation convenience, health value and taste during food choice were responded by above half of women. From logistic regression, 15–25 years’ age and self-employed were linked to religious influence in food choice with AOR (95%CI) of 0.09(0.01–0.48) and 4.13(1.4–12.24). Age (15–25 and 26–35 years), education (no, primary and secondary) and being housewife were associated to choosing of foods for their health value with AOR (95%CI) of 0.26(0.12–0.6), 0.37(0.18–0.76), 0.14(0.04–0.42), 0.25(0.13–0.54), 0.33(0.17–0.66) and 2.5(1.23–5). Only family size (2–4 vs.>4 persons) was associated with price concern in food choice with AOR (95%CI) of 0.39(0.21–0.71). Being divorced, husband headed, 7–12 and13-18 month lactation period, 15–25 and 26–35 years’ age were related to preparation convenience of foods with AOR (95%CI) of 5.94(1.13–31.33), 0.42(0.18–0.96), 3.26(1.34–7.93), 4.4(1.81–10.72), 0.16(0.05–0.47) and 0.25(0.11–0.59). Self-management approaches by nutrition education and promotion to change eating behaviors of women, increasing supply and price regulation toward healthy foods are recommended.

Background: Poor growth and breakfast eating patterns are associated with delayed mental development and that there is a relationship between impaired growth status and both poor performance and reduced intellectual achievements. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of breakfast eating patterns and anthropometric measurements on cognitive function among early adolescents in the Rural Sidama, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2012. Structured questionnaire was used to capture breakfast eating patterns, socio-economic and demographic factors. Anthropometric status was measured using the UNICEF SECA weighing scale and shorr measuring board. Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-II tests was used for cognitive function measurement. A representative sample size of 211 participants was selected randomly from 4 kebeles. The data was analyzed with SPSS version 16.0 software and WHO anthroplus version 1.04. Results: Of the 208 interviewed, 52% were girls while 48% were boys with mean (±SD) age of 12.01±0.82 years. Breakfast skipping prevalence was 42.3%. Breakfast eating patterns and height-for-age Z score were significant predictors of Pattern Reasoning cognitive test scores (P<0.001). Body mass index for age Z score was a significant predictor (P<0.001) of a combined Simultaneous scale. Regular breakfast pattern, height for age and body mass index for age Z score were significantly (P<0.001) associated with Pattern Reasoning explaining 28.8% variation. Conclusion: Adolescents who were stunted and underweight had lower cognitive test scores compared to those who were normal as well as those who consume breakfast irregularly. Anthropometric status and breakfast eating patterns was significant predictor of cognitive function of adolescents in the study area. We recommended that, parents and adolescents should be educated and trained on healthy breakfast eating patterns and good nutrition practices for healthy cognitive development.