Women’s Involvement in Household Decision-Making and Nutrition Related-Knowledge as Predictors of Child Global Acute Malnutrition in Southwest Ethiopia: A Case–Control Study

Background: Global acute malnutrition is one of the major contributors to the death of young children. It accounts for about 35% to 55% of all childhood deaths in low- and middle-income countries. However, there have been limited studies examining the relationship between global acute malnutrition and women ’ s involvement in decision-making, and nutrition-related knowledge in the locality. Patients and Methods: A case – control study was conducted from March to April 2018. The sample size was determined using Epi Info statistical software, and a total of 234 children with their parents involved in the study. Childs ’ height was measured using a stadiometer, and a digital weight scale was used to measure child weight. Weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) was computed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro Software. Women ’ s involvement in household decision-making was assessed using the household decision-making index. Socio-demographic and maternal nutrition-related knowledge were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Data entry and statistical analysis were done using EpiData 3.1 and Statistical Package for Social Science 24.0 (SPSS). Statistically, a signi fi cant association was declared by adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 95% con fi dence interval (CI), and P -value less than or equal to 0.05. Results: About three- fi fths of mothers whose children were cases had poor nutrition-related knowledge regarding optimal child feeding. The study found poor maternal nutrition-related knowledge (AOR 5.16, 95% CI (1.9, 13.96)), not attending formal education (AOR 4.98, 95% CI (2.09, 11.82)), lack of maternal involvement in household decision-making (AOR 4.68, 95% CI (1.99, 10.97)), and lowest wealth index (AOR 3.76, 95% CI (1.24, 11.38)) as independent predictors. Conclusion and Recommendation: Maternal nutrition-related knowledge, maternal educational status, and involvement in household decision-making were found to be independent predictors of child global acute malnutrition. Emphasis needs to be given in strengthening girls ’ education, nutrition education, household economic strengthening activities, and women empowerment in decision-making. http://doi.org/10.2147/NDS.S252342