Abstract summary 

Maternal malnutrition remains a major public health problem, particularly in low and middle-income countries and war-affected areas like Ethiopia. Malnourished pregnant and lactating women with low nutrient stores have babies with poor mental and physical development, increasing the risk of poor birth outcomes. Despite the fact that the majority of Ethiopian mothers are malnourished, there is little evidence in war-affected areas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors among pregnant and lactating mothers in the war affected area of North Gondar Zone, northwest Ethiopia.A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 10 to May 25, 2022. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 1560 pregnant and lactating mothers. MUAC was to ascertain the outcome variable. Data was entered and analyzed by using EPI INFO version 3.5.3 and SPSS version 24, respectively. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors associated with acute malnutrition. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to show the strength of the association, while a P-value of 0.05 was used to declare the significance of the association.The prevalence of acute malnutrition among pregnant and lactating women was 34.3% at the 95% CI (31.9-36.8). The age of the mothers (AOR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.99), family size 6-8 (AOR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.82), and greater than or equal to 9 family sizes (AOR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.97), were significantly associated with acute malnutrition.In the current study, the prevalence of acute malnutrition among pregnant and lactating mothers is high in the study area. Mother's age and family size were factors associated with acute malnutrition in war-affected areas. As a result, mothers with large families will require special assistance to reduce the impact of malnutrition.

Authors & Co-authors:  Belew Aysheshim Kassahun AK Awoke Tadesse T Gelaye Kassahun Alemu KA Atnafu Asmamaw A Guadu Tadesse T Azale Telake T Yitayal Mezigebu M Assefa Yohannes Awoke YA Getachew Rediet R Amare Tadele T Yitayih Sewbesew S Shitu Kegnie K Demilew Demeke D Dellie Endalkachew E Aschalew Andualem Yalew AY Fanta Biruk B Worku Netsanet N Yalew Ermias Solomon ES Abich Yohannes Y Azeze Getachew G Worku Chanyalew C Kibret Alemu Kassaw AK G/Medhin Tsegaye T Hunegnaw Melkamu Tamir MT Salelew Endalamaw E Nenko Goshu G Fekadu Hailab H Molla Ayenew A

Study Outcome 

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