Reports show that universal coverage of breastfeeding could prevent 13% of deaths among children
under five years. Breastfeeding protects infants from common infections, strengthens the immune system and
protects their digestive system. Worldwide, it is estimated that only 34.8% of infants are exclusively breastfed. This
cross-sectional study was conducted from 2008 to 2010 to estimate the prevalence rate of breastfeeding and to
understand the relationship between breastfeeding and nutritional status of children aged 5 years and under.
A cluster sampling technique was used for selecting 780 households with at least one child under five. Structured
questionnaires were administered to mothers. The nutritional status of children was assessed using
anthropometrics and categorized according to WHO z-score, chi square test and relative risk were used to test the
associations using 0.05 significant levels. The study revealed that the prevalence of acute malnutrition was 19%;
underweight infants 35%, and chronic malnutrition 51%. The study also revealed that 32% of participants were
breastfed while 68% were not.The prevalence rates among breastfeed were 7.7% for acute malnutrition, 21%, for
underweight and 58.5% for chronic malnutrition. For the group who do not breastfeed, these rates were found
24.4% for acute malnutrition with wasting, 41.5% for underweight and 47.6% for chronic malnutrition. The study
concludes that the poor breastfeeding may be contributing to a higher risk of malnutrition and mortality among
the under five children