Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Stunting continues to be a major public health challenge in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Studies revealed that the extent of stunting among under-5 children in Ethiopia is well studied, but there is a scarcity of data among school-age children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude of stunting and associated factors among school-age children in the Mulo district, Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 606 school-age children (5-14 years) in Mulo district, Central Ethiopia, from 1 to 30 July 2019. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study participants. The collected data were entered into Epi Info version 7.2.2.16 software and analyzed using SPSS version 21 and World Health Organization AnthroPlus software. Bivariate and backward stepwise multivariable statistical methods were employed to assess stunting and its associated factors. Statistical significant association was declared at a p value of <0.05. RESULT: In this study, prevalence of stunting among school-age children was 42.4%. Of which, 144 (23.76%) were males and 113 (18.65%) were females. Age group between 10 and 14 years old, (adjusted odds ratio = 1.896, 95% confidence interval: 1.328-2.708), male sex (adjusted odds ratio = 2.688, 95% confidence interval: 1.892-3.821), increased family size (adjusted odds ratio = 1.711, 95% confidence interval: 1.191-2.458), absence of latrine in the compound (adjusted odds ratio = 2.541, 95% confidence interval: 1.711-3.773), and consuming less than three times per day (adjusted odds ratio = 2.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.375-5.223) were factors significantly associated with stunting. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the prevalence of stunting among school-age children was high. Age, sex, family size, availability of latrine, and meal frequency were factors significantly associated with stunting. Therefore, interventional educations on the importance of timely feeding, a balanced diet, family planning, environmental sanitation, and personal hygiene should be given for the parents/caregivers. In addition, analytic studies are recommended to further assess the causes of stunting among the school-age children in the area.