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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

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

Shiferaw Birhanu1, Getu Degu Alene2, Yeshalem Mulugeta Demilew3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar Ethiopia.

Food Science & Nutrition
|February 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Childhood undernutrition in Ethiopia affects nearly one-third of infants aged 6-8 months. Interventions should focus on shared decision-making, illness prevention, and maternal confidence in feeding practices.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Childhood undernutrition is a significant public health issue in Ethiopia.
  • Conventional indicators may underestimate undernutrition in infants aged 6-8 months during the critical complementary feeding period.
  • The composite index of anthropometric failure offers a more comprehensive assessment of undernutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of undernutrition using the composite index of anthropometric failure among infants aged 6-8 months in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia.
  • To identify factors associated with undernutrition in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 789 mothers and their infants aged 6-8 months.
  • Cluster sampling was employed for participant selection.
  • Data were collected via structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements, followed by binary logistic regression analysis.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of undernutrition, as measured by the composite index of anthropometric failure, was 29.2% among infants aged 6-8 months.
  • Significant predictors included male infants, older infant age (7-8 months), acute respiratory infection, low maternal self-efficacy in complementary feeding, and male household decision-making power.
  • Infants with male primary decision-makers had a 2.36 times higher odds of anthropometric failure.

Conclusions:

  • A substantial burden of undernutrition exists among infants aged 6-8 months in the study area.
  • Interventions should empower women in household decision-making, address nutritional risks associated with illness, and enhance maternal confidence in complementary feeding practices.
  • The findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to tackling infant undernutrition.

Keywords:
West Gojjamanthropometric failureethiopiainfants aged 6–8 months

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