Comparison of nutritional status and associated factors of lactating women between lowland and highland communities of District Raya, Alamata, Southern Tigiray, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The Ethiopian regions have a relatively higher prevalence of under-nutrition are found in the lowlands of the country, with the exception of the highlands of Tigiray, where under-nutrition is also prevalent. The intention of this study was to compare anthropometric nutritional status and associated factors of lactating women between lowland and highland communities of district Raya Alamata, Southern Tigiray, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted from January 27–March 7, 2014. Sample size was determined by two population estimation formula. The total calculated sample size was 456. A stratified sampling technique was used to stratify the study area to highland and lowland. Study participants were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using anthropometric measurements and structured questionnaire. The raw data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Bivariate and multivariable Logistic regression was done to determine the association between explanatory variable with chronic energy deficiency (CED) using body mass index (BMI), by computing odds ratio at 95% confidence level. A P – value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULT: The prevalence of CED of lactating mothers from lowland and highland was 17.5% and 24.6% respectively. After multivariable logistic regression: age, husband occupation, taking vitamin A immediately after delivery or within the first 8 weeks after delivery and consumption of extra food during lactation time were factors associated with chronic energy deficiency for lowland lactating women whereas parity, number of meals per day and household consumption of iodized salt were factors associated with chronic energy deficiency for highland lactating women. CONCLUSION: CED in both comparative studies were a serious public health problem. As it is known food security does not mean nutritionally secured, Therefore, the need to develop nutrition intervention such as nutrition security programs to address under-nutrition in the study area is significant, as it was found food secured participants were slightly vulnerable than food insecure. The dietary diversity score of the participants were very low so that encourage the community about nutrition diversification is substantial for adequate nutrient intake.