Abstract:  Acute respiratory infection is still a major health problem among under-five children specifically in Ethiopia, where 38% of them are reported as living in the status of under-nutrition. However, there are studies limitation regarding the relationship of nutritional status of under-five children and outcome of pneumonia treatment. Institutional based cross-sectional study design had been employed to see the Effect of nutritional status and associated factors on pneumonia treatment outcome among under-five children in 2015. Data was collected using interview administered structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurement.

The study revealed that high probability of poor pneumonia treatment outcome 26(40%) among exposed groups. Those children to house wife mothers 11(16.92%), smoker family member 6(9.23%), non-fully immunized 9(13.85%), less than 500birr spent for a child 26(40%) are observed to be with poor pneumonia treatment outcome. The risk of poor pneumonia treatment outcome was 4 times and 5 times more like among children who lives with smoker family member and exposed groups respectively. But it was 0.075 and 0.05 times less like among Children from urban and whom their monthly budget is 1000 birr or more respectively.

Child nutritional status has significant effect on pneumonia treatment outcome among under-five children. Undernourishment, smoker family member, rural residency, monthly budget are among factors impact pneumonia treatment outcome. Nutritional education, Mother education, Employing mothers, Budgeting more than 500 birr per child per month, alleviate smoking among the family member, Limiting family members number per house hold, All children should feed colostrums and Full immunization should be done.

Keywords:  Nutritional Status, Pneumonia, Treatment Outcome, Children.

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Abstract:  Background: Child malnutrition is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over 45% of children in Cameroon die each year from malnutrition-related causes, most of which are preventable. Exclusive breastfeeding is a well-acknowledged and cost-effective intervention against malnutrition-related illnesses in children. However, the practice remains low in Cameroon. This study explored perceptions of mothers, care givers and key informants on infant feeding in Cameroon, and barriers to exclusive breastfeeding.

Methods: A qualitative methodology was used, comprising key informant interviews and focus group discussions with nursing mothers, grandmothers and health workers; in one urban and one rural area in Cameroon. Participants were selected using convenience, purposive and snowball sampling methods. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Cameroonian mothers were supportive of breastfeeding. However, knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding and its benefits was poor. Mothers expressed doubts about its feasibility and showed concerns about satisfying their babies’ feeding and health needs. Barriers included factors which either affected women’s abilities to breastfeed or their babies’ satisfaction, family influences, other responsibilities, cultural and societal factors, and lack of support from the healthcare system.

Conclusions: This study highlighted a sizeable gap between mothers’ lived experiences and infant feeding recommendations. Living in rural areas was an added disadvantage. Developing effective strategies to increase exclusive breastfeeding rates requires that mothers’ needs be understood and that influencing factors be addressed. Supportive environments are also required to promote and protect the rights and abilities of mothers to breastfeed exclusively.

Keywords:  Breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, EBF, infant feeding, perceptions, barriers, mothers, developing countries, Cameroon.

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