Correlation between Agricultural Biodiversity, Dietary Diversity, Household Food Security and Associated Factors of Wasting among 6-59 Months old Children in Ambassel Woreda, North East Ethiopia

Abstract Background Worldwide there are up to 300,000 known plant species. But, only 2% are consumed by human. Under nutrition among under five children is still a public health problem. There is an information gap on the importance of agricultural biodiversity in relation to dietary intake and nutritional status. Objective to assess the correlation between agricultural bio-diversity, dietary diversity, household food insecurity and associated factors of wasting among 6-59 months old children. Method A community based cross-sectional study was employed among 367 systematically selected children aged 6-59 months from January to April 2018. The sample size was determined by Epi Info 7.2.5.1. Data were collected by open data kit. Height and weight were measured using height measuring board and SECA Germany. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi Data version 3.1 and STATA version 14. Descriptive statistics was computed and reported using frequency and percentage. Anthropometric measurements were analyzed using WHO Anthro 2005 software. Linear regression and correlation were done. A p-value of < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals were used to see the statistical significance. Result The prevalence of wasting was 7.3%(95% C.I; 4.6, 10.0). Dietary diversity score is found to be correlated with height for weight Z score (r=-0.11, p-value=0.04) of children. Mother who are unable to read and write (B=-.126, 95% CI: -1.02, -.034) and dietary diversity score (B=.143, 95% CI: .14, 1.86) were factors associated with wasting. Conclusion and Recommendation Wasting is higher than the national target of Ethiopia. Educational status of mother and DDS were factors associated with wasting among children aged 6-59 months. Prevention of nutritional problem should include reducing illiteracy rate among mother/care-givers and promote diversified intake of diet among 6-59 months old.