Nutritional status of children among irrigation user and non-user households in Hintalo Wajirat Woreda, Tigray, Ethiopia

A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Various studies have indicated the positive impact of irrigation systems on productivity. However, its impact on improved growth and nutritional status of under-five children from smallholder farmers is still under investigation.
Objective: To assess nutritional status and factors associated with under nutrition among 6 - 59 months aged children in irrigation user and non-user households in Hintalo Wajirat Woreda, Tigray, Ethiopia.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2013 among a total of 802 children 6 – 59 months age (400 irrigation user and 402 non-user households). A stratified multistage sampling technique was employed to select the households. Structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The associations between variables were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Data was analyzed using ENA-SMART and SPSS version 20.
Results:   Theprevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting in children from irrigation non-users was 68.2%, 43.8%, and 14.4% while among users was 56.8%, 34.0% and 6.5%, respectively. Failure to consume milk and milk products (AOR 1.957, 95%CI: 1.079, 3.549), walking for more than an hour to fetch drinking water (AOR 2.452, 95% CI: 1.446, 4.157), and perceived birth size (AOR 0.267, 95%CI: 0.144, 0.498) were factors associated with stunting in children from irrigation non-user households. Distance to the site of irrigation (AOR 2.643, 95%CI: 1.148, 6.084), perceived birth size and intake of dairy products (AOR 1.773, 95%CI: 1.138, 2.762) and potato and other tubers (AOR 2.219, 95%CI: 1.228, 4.011) in the last 24 hours preceding the data collection were factors associated with underweight in children from the irrigation user households. Similarly, child age (AOR 2.103, 95%CI: 1.326, 3.336), intake of dairy products (AOR 2.301, 95%CI: 1.44, 3.677) and formula milk (AOR 2.569, 95%CI: 1.034, 6.384), sell of agriculture products (AOR 2.466, 95%CI: 1.43, 4.25) and availability of toilet (AOR 1.566, 95%CI: 1.001, 2.45) were associated with underweight in children from irrigation non-user households. Children from families who failed to consume legume and legume products in the last 24 hours preceding the survey (AOR 3.033, 95%CI: 1.307, 7.042), children 24-59 months of age were (AOR 0.248, 95%CI: 0.104, 0.591), possession of oxen (AOR 2.355, 95%CI: 1.198, 4.630) and avoidance of pre lacteal feeding within three days after delivery (AOR 0.345, 95%CI: 0.137, 0.868) were factors associated with child wasting in irrigation user households.

Conclusions: Child malnutrition was highly prevalent in Hintalo Wajirat Woreda. Children from the irrigation user households have better nutritional status compared to children from the irrigation non-user households suggesting that agricultural interventions are important in bringing about improvement of child nutritional status in populations with similar setting.