title: Variations between post- and pre-harvest seasons in stunting, wasting, and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices among children 6-23 months of age in lowland and midland agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Food availability and access are strongly affected by seasonality in Ethiopia. However, there are little data on seasonal variation in Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices and malnutrition among 6-23 months old children in different agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Socio-demographic, anthropometry and IYCF indicators were assessed in post- and pre-harvest seasons among children aged 6-23 months of age randomly selected from rural villages of lowland and midland agro-ecological zones.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Child stunting and underweight increased from prevalence of 39.8% and 26.9% in post-harvest to 46.0% and 31.8% in pre-harvest seasons, respectively. The biggest increase in prevalence of stunting and underweight between post- and pre-harvest seasons was noted in the midland zone. Wasting decreased from 11.6% post-harvest to 8.5% pre-harvest, with the biggest decline recorded in the lowland zone. Minimum meal frequency, minimum acceptable diet and poor dietary diversity increased considerably in pre-harvest compared to post-harvest season in the lowland zone. Feeding practices and maternal age were predictors of wasting, while women's dietary diversity and children age was predictor of child dietary diversity in both seasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is seasonal variation in malnutrition and IYCF practices among children 6-23 months of age with more pronounced effect in midland agro-ecological zone. A major contributing factor for child malnutrition may be poor feeding practices. Health information strategies focused on both IYCF practices and dietary diversity of mothers could be a sensible approach to reduce the burden of child malnutrition in rural Ethiopia.
authors: College of Health & Medical Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Kedir Teji
authors: KT
authors: Roba
authors: School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Thomas Pacelli
authors: TP
authors: O'Connor
authors: Department of Population & Family Health, College of Public Health & Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
authors: Tefera
authors: T
authors: Belachew
authors: School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors: Nora Mary
authors: NM
authors: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D002100:Cachexia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007228:Infant Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012621:Seasons; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: IYCF; dietary diversity; lowland; midland; season