Maternal and Pediatric Nutrition
Open Access

Abstract

Maternal Common Mental Disorder and its Associated with Sever Acute Malnutrition among Children 6-59 Months in South West Showa, Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study

Banchu Abdeta*, Anchamo Anato

Background: Maternal depression is identified to be a significant health problem in low and-middle-income countries. Studies have shown maternal depression as a risk factor for poor infant growth. Sever acute malnutrition is results from insufficient energy, fat, protein and other nutrients to cover individual needs.

Objective: To investigate the association between maternal common mental disorder and sever acute malnutrition in children 6-59 months attended in Saint Luke Catholic Hospital and Woliso General Hospital south west Showa, Ethiopia.

Methods: Unmatched case-control study design was employed from January 12/2023 to march 5/2023. One hundred twelve sampled mothers who care givers children (39 cases and 73 controls) were used randomly sample technic selected. Anthropometric measurements (height/length and weight) and MUAC were taken by calibrated instruments. Maternal depression was measured by the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) developed by the World Health Organization a CMD screening instrument that includes 20 yes/no questions on depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms experienced in the last 30 days. It used ≥ 8 cutoff scores to determine probable cases of mental. Data analysis was done by SPSS 24.0 statistical software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. The association of strength was measured through adjust odds ratio at 95% CI and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Result: A total of 39 children (cases) and 73 children (controls) with their mother’s care givers were participated in the study. The percentage of malnourished children was highest 31 (79.5%) in the 6-23 months and lowest 8 (20.5%) among 24-59 months while malnourished children was higher in female 30 (76.9%) than in male 9 (23.1). In multivariable logistic regression age of children, low monthly income, CMD and diarrhea are statistical significance was the level of p<0.05. Children who have a mother with a common mental disorder are 4.444 times (AO=4.444, 95% CI 1.516, 13.028) more likely to develop sever acute malnourished than children who have mothers with no common mental disorder.

Conclusion: Maternal depression carries a significant burden in the mothers of children hospitalized with SAM. Interventions to address routine screening for maternal depression in childbearing age mother, child nutrition programs might contribute to improving child nutritional status and increase crop production.

Published Date: 2025-01-20; Received Date: 2024-07-04