Abstract:
Introduction: Ethiopia has implemented a massive and comprehensive economic reform over
the last few decades and is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Based on the United
Nations’ (UN) estimate, the total population of Ethiopia in 2020 is expected to exceed 110
million. Children under five (U5) years of age constitute 14% while those under 14 years account
for 47% of the total population. Nationally, the infant and child mortality has been significantly
declining in the country since the last two decades due to remarkable investment by the health
sector particularly on maternal, newborn and child health. Despite the achievement in economic
growth and child survival in the country, there are still about 13 million children living under
poor living conditions and 2 million of them are living under extreme poverty which impedes
their overall growth and full developmental potential. In addition, the magnitude of stunting,
underweight, and wasting are high and stand at 38%, 24%, and 10% respectively. These burdens
cannot be explained solely due to poor health or undernutrition of young children, and might
further be compounded by the lack of sensitive and responsive child care, feeding, stimulation,
and safety/security, all of which result in an estimated 59% of children U5 years of age being at
the risk of suboptimal development
