Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Nov;26(11):2210-2220.
doi: 10.1007/s10995-022-03467-6. Epub 2022 Aug 30.

Under-Nutrition and Associated Factors Among Lactating Mothers in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Bekahegn Girma  1 , Jemberu Nigussie  2 , Alemayehu Molla  3 , Moges Mareg  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Under-Nutrition and Associated Factors Among Lactating Mothers in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Bekahegn Girma et al. Matern Child Health J. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: Under-nutrition (body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2) is a global problem with an increasing trend in recent years. The burden is high in low and middle-income countries, especially in Africa. Lactating mothers are among the most vulnerable groups for under nutrition; particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of under-nutrition among this group is inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of under-nutrition and its associated factors among lactating mothers in Ethiopia.

Methods: To write this review and meta-analysis, we followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines. Primary articles were searched from PubMed, Hinari, Cochrane Library, science direct databases, Google, and Google scholar. STATA version 16 software and a standardized Microsoft excel format were used for analysis and data extraction, respectively. Heterogeneity between studies was checked. To determine the pooled prevalence of under-nutrition, we used a random-effect model. Begg's and Egger's tests were done to detect publication bias. Subgroup analysis was also steered and association was uttered by a pooled odds ratio with 95% CI.

Results: The pooled prevalence of under-nutrition among lactating mothers was 23.84% [95% CI (19.40, 28.27)]. Educational status (no formal education) {Pooled OR 2.30 [95% CI (1.34, 3.96)]} was significantly associated with under-nutrition.

Conclusion: The pooled prevalence of under-nutrition was high. Maternal educational status was significantly associated with under-nutrition. Therefore, the federal ministry of health and the concerned stakeholders should give attention to these most vulnerable groups and strengthen the implementation of the previously designed strategies.

Keywords: Ethiopia; Factors; Lactating mothers; Meta-analysis; Under nutrition.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Abeya, S., Biru, K., & Jima, A. (2018). Factors associated with underweight among lactating mothers in Adama District, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 1, 101.
    1. Alemayehu, M., Argaw, A., & Mariam, A. G. (2015). Factors associated with malnutrition among lactating women in subsistence farming households from Dedo And Seqa-Chekorsa Districts, Jimma Zone, 2014. Developing Country Studies, 5(21), 117–118.
    1. Ayana, G., Hailu, A., Tessema, M., Belay, A., Zerfu, D., Bekele, T., …, Tesfaye, B. (2015). Ethiopian National Nutrition Program End-Line Survey.
    1. Bekele, H., Jima, G. H., & Regesu, A. H. (2020). Undernutrition and associated factors among lactating women: Community-based cross-sectional study in Moyale District, Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Advances in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4367145 - DOI
    1. Berhe, K., Kidanemariam, A., Gebremariam, G., & Gebremariam, A. (2019). Prevalence and associated factors of adolescent undernutrition in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Nutrition, 5(1), 49. - DOI

LinkOut - more resources