Abstract:
Introduction: Malnourishment is recognized as a major global public health problem and is a
leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity. Additionally, displacement due to natural or
man-made disasters can further increase the vulnerability of children to acute malnutrition.
Objectives: to assess the prevalence and factors associated with acute malnutrition among
under-two year children living in internal displacement population centers at Debre Berhan town
in Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2023.
Method and materials: An institutional based cross sectional study design conducted at
internally displaced population (IDP)site in Debre Berhan town, North Shoa zone, Ethiopia. The
study period was from May 1 to 30, 2023. The source populations are all children below 24
months of ages. The total sample size estimated for this study was 308. Anthropometric
measurement (including MUAC,Weight) and questionnaires administered by interviewers used
to collect data. Data entered on Epidata and exported to SPSS for statistical analysis. Bivariate
and multivariate logistic regression analysis performed with p-value less than 0/05 considered
statistically significant.
Result: In this study, the prevalence of under-nutrition was134 (43.5%) and the prevalence of
wasting was 86 ( 27.9%). care taker Marital status (AOR= 1.85; 95% CI=:1.01, 6.75), care taker
educational level (AOR= 1.67; 95% CI=:1.12, 5.29), children place of delivery (AOR= 1.26;
95% CI=:1.15, 2.06) were significant predictor of children malnutrition.
Conclusion and recommendations: Under-nutrition and wasting, is high among children in the
study area. Marital status of care giver, educational level of care giver, place of delivery and
history of children diarrhea were significantly associated with malnutrition. These findings
suggest healthcare access which may have a positive impact on child nutrition status
