Magnitude and Associated Factors of Undernutrition Among Children

Ethiopia accounts for one of the largest number of orphans in the world and there are an estimated 5.4 million orphans as a result of the death of one or both parents. The most commonly noted reasons for children being placed in orphanages were parental HIV and AIDS status or other chronic illness and poverty. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 children Aged 6–59 Months in Ethiopian Orphanage Centers . The results showed that the prevalence of wasting, underweight, and stunting was 4.4%, 12.3%, and 34.8% respectively. The prevalence of stunting among orphaned under-five children in Ethiopia was high (34.8%) when compared with WHO’s classification. Children those with lack of vitamin A supplement, recent illness, and being a double orphaned were more likely to be undernourished. Therefore, intensified efforts to increase rates of vitamin A supplementation and as well as other disease prevention measures should be strengthened by the orphanage administrators and the health authorities.