Levels, Differentials and Determinants of Malnutrition among Women in Ethiopia

Haddis, Fikrewold (2008) Levels, Differentials and Determinants of Malnutrition among Women in Ethiopia. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

[img] PDF (Levels, Differentials and Determinants of Malnutrition among Women in Ethiopia)
Haddis, Fikrewold.pdf - Accepted Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (549kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The millennium development goal (MDG 5) of reducing maternal mortality by three quarters between 1990 and 2015 is highly related with poor women’s nutritional status. Poor maternal nutrition is directly associated with mother’s resistance to infection or maternal ill health during pregnancy and child birth. Therefore providing obstetric care alone is not going to be enough solution for the problem, unless otherwise poor women’s nutritional status is resolved. In depth understanding women’s nutritional status is therefore crucial in any attempt to attain the goal of reducing maternal mortality level and food security. In this regard, this study examines the levels, differentials and determinants of malnutrition among women in Ethiopia. The main purpose of the study is to assess the levels, socio-economic and demographic differentials and to analyse their determinants. The paper uses the large data set from the 2005 Ethiopian demographic and health survey on 4080 non pregnant and non lactating women aged 15-49 in rural and urban parts of the country. Women’s body mass index (Kg/m2) is used for the purpose of analysing women’s nutritional status and those with BMI value less than 18.5 are at risk of chronic energy deficiency (CED). Logistic regression model was employed at multivariate analysis to identify important determinant factors of women’s malnutrition. The study reveals that 27.6 percent of the women are malnourished of which 23.1 percent are moderately and 4.5 percent are severely deprived. Levels were almost 2 times higher in rural areas than urban areas. The study identifies women’s age, parity, current marital status, place of residence, region, house hold economic status, occupation and women decision making autonomy as important factors in explaining the variation in women’s nutritional status. In rural areas non educated women in the age group 15-19 and 45-49, living in regions Tigray ,Gambella Amhara Ben-shangul Gumuz and Somali are found to be under nourished. In urban areas where as never married and divorced women, with poor and very poor household economic status living in regions Tigray and Gambella are at risk. Hence to improve the situation the Policy should focus on creating mechanisms and opportunities to increase agricultural production and women’s education as well as providing better access to health care, particularly, in rural areas.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Tim Khabala
Date Deposited: 08 Aug 2018 07:35
Last Modified: 08 Aug 2018 07:35
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/8415

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item