Despite the decline in the rate of stunting in Ethiopia, the prevalence is still high and needs immense efforts to achieve the target set to reduce the prevalence. It varies between localities due to individual level factors and dominant livelihood practice in the community. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stunting and identify factors associated with it in Sodo Zuria district in South Ethiopia. A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 342 children aged 6–59 months paired with mothers/caretakers. Households were selected using systematic sampling. Structured questionnaire was used and mothers/caregivers were interviewed face to face. Standardized anthropometric measurements were used to measure length, and weight and height of a child. Data were entered into Epi Info software version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Height for age Z score data were analyzed using WHO Anthro software. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictor variables. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. The prevalence of stunting in this study was 24.9% with 7.9% being severely stunted. Being female (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 5.3), children aged 12–23 months (AOR = 7.1; 95% CI: 2.3, 21.9), mother’s who do not use family planning (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1,5.7), children with diarrheal morbidity (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2,5.3), income of 750–1500 ETB and > 1500, and children who received pre-lacteal feeding (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI: 1.2–12.2) became predictors for stunting. Significant proportion of stunting was found where one third of them were severely stunted. Being female, children aged 12–23 months, using family planning, children with diarrheal morbidity, income and pre-lacteal feeding became predictors for stunting. So Gender-based policies should be enacted in child feeding practice, interventions should focus on the utilization of family planning and appropriate child caring and feeding practices. Water, sanitation and hygiene interventions need to be strengthened.

中文翻译：

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埃塞俄比亚南部 Sodo Zuria 区 6-59 月龄儿童发育迟缓的预测因素：一项基于社区的横断面研究

尽管埃塞俄比亚的发育迟缓率有所下降，但患病率仍然很高，需要付出巨大努力才能实现降低患病率的目标。由于个人层面的因素和社区中占主导地位的生计实践，它在不同地区之间有所不同。因此，本研究的目的是确定埃塞俄比亚南部 Sodo Zuria 地区发育迟缓的流行情况并确定与之相关的因素。对 342 名 6-59 个月的儿童与母亲/看护人进行了一项基于社区的横断面研究。使用系统抽样选择住户。使用结构化问卷，并面对面采访母亲/照顾者。标准化的人体测量测量用于测量儿童的长度、体重和身高。将数据输入 Epi Info 软件 3.5 版。1 并导出到 SPSS 版本 20 进行分析。使用 WHO Anthro 软件分析年龄 Z 评分数据的身高。进行多变量逻辑回归分析以确定预测变量。在 p < 0.05 时考虑统计显着性。本研究中发育迟缓的患病率为 24.9%，其中 7.9% 严重发育迟缓。女性 (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 5.3), 12-23 个月大的儿童 (AOR = 7.1; 95% CI: 2.3, 21.9), 不使用计划生育的母亲 (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1,5.7)，患有腹泻病的儿童 (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2,5.3)，收入在 750-1500 ETB 和 > 1500，以及接受哺乳前喂养的儿童 (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI：1.2-12.2）成为发育迟缓的预测因素。发现有很大比例的发育迟缓，其中三分之一严重发育迟缓。作为女性，12-23 个月大的儿童、使用计划生育、腹泻发病率、收入和哺乳期前喂养的儿童成为发育迟缓的预测因素。因此，应在儿童喂养实践中制定基于性别的政策，干预措施应侧重于计划生育的利用以及适当的儿童护理和喂养实践。需要加强水、环境卫生和个人卫生干预措施。