Determinants of Child Malnutrition: A Case Study in Central Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study analyzes the determinants of child malnutrition among under-five children of farming households in Central Zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. A logit model is employed to analyze the determinants of child malnutrition among under-five children using a cross-sectional data. The results of the analysis shows that the significant determinants of malnutrition are age of household, sex of household, education of household, presence of latrine in the household, use of treated water, sex of child, child age and child birth interval while age of household, family size, oxen ownership are among the insignificant variables. House hold education is highly significant at 1% and negatively associated with child malnutrition suggesting that as household head get educated, become more at ease to adapt and utilize new idea. Then this helps to improve nutritional status of their children. Child birth interval is among the negatively related and significant variable with malnutrition signifying that as birth space increase there may be better caring of children that reduce malnutrition. Finally especial attention should be given to reduce the present high rate of malnutrition in the study area.