Factors associated with nutritional status among lactating mothers at Shashemene Woreda, West Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study Bereket Duko*, Melese Gebrie and Dejene Hailu Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia. Received 13 September, 2018: Accepted 9 November, 2018
Inadequate nutritional intake prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and lactation process increases postnatal nutritional stresses and health risk of the mother resulting in a high maternal mortality. The aim of this study was to compare nutritional status and associated factors of urban and rural lactating women from Shashemene Woreda, West Arsi Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. A community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 484 randomly selected lactating mothers from six kebeles. Anthropometric measurements were taken from each mother using calibrated equipment and standardized techniques. A 24 hr dietary intake was also collected from randomly selected sub sample (n=48) of mothers. The energy and nutrient content of foods consumed by the mothers was calculated using Ethiopian food composition and world food tables. Logistic regression model, independent t-test analyses and chi-square test were used to see the mean difference in nutrient intake and nutritional status among lactating mothers. Variables with a p-value less than 0.05 on multiple variable logistic regressions were taken as significant variables. The prevalence of under-nutrition (MUAC
