Anthropometric Failure and Associated Factors Among Infants Aged 6–8 Months in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

TL;DR

This study finds that nearly one-third of infants aged 6–8 months in Ethiopia suffer from undernutrition, with factors like male sex, older age, and household decision-making patterns playing a role.

Contribution

The study introduces the composite index of anthropometric failure to better capture undernutrition in infants, revealing higher prevalence than conventional indicators.

Findings

29.2% of infants aged 6–8 months had anthropometric failure, with stunting being the most common form.

Male infants, older age (7–8 months), and household decision-making by the husband were significant predictors of undernutrition.

Low maternal self-efficacy in complementary feeding and acute respiratory infections also increased the risk of anthropometric failure.

Abstract

Childhood undernutrition in Ethiopia is a major public health concern. However, conventional indicators often miss concurrent growth failures, thereby underestimating the true burden among infants aged 6–8 months, a vulnerable group during the critical period of growth and complementary feeding. Therefore, this study aimed to assess undernutrition using the composite index of anthropometric failure and associated factors among infants aged 6–8 months in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among 789 mothers with infants aged 6–8 months, selected using a cluster sampling technique in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were taken following standard procedures. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with undernutrition. Variables with a p‐value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Nearly one‐third of infants aged 6–8 months were undernourished (29.2%; 95% CI: 26.0%, 32.5%) as measured by the composite index of anthropometric failure. In multivariable logistic regression, infants from households where the husband was the primary decision‐maker on resources [AOR = 2.36, 95% CI (1.51, 3.71)], infants being male [AOR = 4.05, 95% CI (2.87, 5.71)], being aged 7 months [AOR = 1.81, 95% CI (1.21, 2.70)], or 8 months [AOR = 1.86, 95% CI (1.23, 2.81)] compared with aged 6 months, having acute respiratory infection [AOR = 1.95, 95% CI (1.13, 3.39)], and low maternal self‐efficacy in complementary feeding [AOR = 1.51, 95% CI (1.05, 2.17)] were significant predictors of anthropometric failure. Therefore, interventions should promote shared household decision‐making, address illness‐related nutritional risks, and strengthen maternal confidence in complementary feeding.

Trial Registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05871346)

This community‐based cross‐sectional study assessed undernutrition among 789 infants aged 6–8 months in West Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, using composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF). Nearly one‐third of infants experienced anthropometric failure, with stunting being the most common form. Male sex, older infant age, having acute respiratory infection (ARI), husband‐dominated household decision‐making, and low maternal self‐efficacy in complementary feeding were significant predictors of anthropometric failure.

Figures