Determinants of malnutrition (undernutrition) among adolescents in Burayu Woreda, Oromia Region

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is the most serious human health and social problems that affect vast population of the world. Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem throughout the developing world, particularly in southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To assess determinants of undernutrition among adolescents in Burayu woreda, Oromia Region, May 2011. Methods and materials: Community based unmatched case-control study design was conducted in Burayu woreda, Oromia Region from 10-25 March 2011. Cases comprised undernourished adolescents aged 10-19 years and controls were well-nourished adolescents. The study subjects were selected with probability proportional to size from the six kebeles. Using simple random sampling technique data was collected from 91 cases and 91 controls .Weight was measured in kilogram using digital bath room weighing scale to the nearest 0.1kg and height was measured in centimeter using a portable measuring board to the nearest 0.1 cm. Data was edited, cleaned, coded and entered into a computer using SPSS Version 16.0. Univariate and chi-square analysis was conducted to see the association between independent and dependent variables. Those significant variables were entered to multivariate backward binary logistic regression. Result: It was found that age, sex and type of latrine were found to be independent predictors of adolescent undernutrition. Adolescents in age group 10-12 years were more likely to develop undernutrition compared to adolescents in age group 13-15 years (AOR= 8.7; 95%CI: 2.51, 30.10). Adolescents in age group 13-15 years were more likely to develop undernutrition compared to adolescents in age group 16-19 years (AOR= 7.9; 95%CI: 2.67, 23.82). Male adolescents were more likely to develop undernutrition compared to female adolescents (AOR= 4.3; 95%CI: 1.87, 10.04). Adolescents who used open field defication were more likely to develop undernutrition compared to adolescents who had ventilated pit latrine (AOR= 8.7; 95%CI: 1.27, 60.03). Adolescents who had pit latrine were more likely to develop undernutrition compared to adolescents who had ventilated pit latrine (AOR= 6.8; 95%CI: 1.18, 39.94). Conclusion and recommendation: In conclusion, factors associated with the occurrence of adolescent undernutrition includes age, sex and type of latrine. Therefore, developing and implementing health programs to tackle adolescent malnutrition should take into account such differences that are consequence of socio-demographic, health and environmental related factors.