Malnutrition and its determinants among older adults people in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background In Ethiopia, malnutrition among older adults is under detected and, neglected area because the entire problem related with aging considered as fate of aging. Also, older adults are often omitted from public health research. Literatures are scarce in Ethiopia; there is limited information in the current study area among older adults using Min Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Therefore, this paper investigated the prevalence of malnutrition and its predictors among older adults people aged 65 years or above in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was employed from January 1 to march 30, 2020 in Addis Ababa. Nutritional status of the older adults was measured by using Min nutritional assessment (MNA). Data from 662 older adults were collected through face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with malnutrition. Result The prevalence of malnutrition among older adults was found to be 26.6%[95% Confidence interval (CI):22.8, 30.1]. Depression [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.57 95%CI: 5.01, 11.45], being poor [AOR = 1.95 95% CI: 1.166, 3.25], occupation; daily laborer and guard [AOR = 2.78 95% CI: 1.12, 7.17] and being old old [AOR = 2.62 95% CI: 1.62, 4.25] were significantly associated with the higher odds of malnutrition. Conclusion This study illustrated that considerably high proportion of older adults were malnourished in Addis Ababa. Socio-economic characteristics and depression were significantly associated with malnutrition. Therefore, nutritional and social support activities are essential for older adults, particularly of those who are socio-economically disadvantaged and advanced age. In addition, regular nutritional screening and management as well as behavioral interventions should be strengthened as a pillar component of therapeutic interventions. Specific nutritional requirements, at later stages of life is changing, and with the population aged over 65 years increasing in low-income countries like Ethiopia, the research in this field is likely to increase further.

Prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among older adults from urban and rural residences of Metu district, Southwest Ethiopia

“…As a result, the odds of malnutrition were 3.81 times higher in adults 75 years or older compared to older adults 65–74 years old. This finding was consistent with the data reported in Senegal [ 28 ], Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [ 20 ], and Gonder, Ethiopia [ 7 ]. This could be due to a change in taste and smell, as well as a general decline in appetite with age, making it more difficult to enjoy eating and maintain regular eating habits, likely to result in malnutrition [ 25 ].…”

“…Using P1 = (17.1% [ 22 ] and P2 = 26.6% [ 20 ] and adding a 10% non-response rate and multiplying the design effect by 2, a total of 616 older adults (n1 = 308 from urban and n2 = 308 from rural) were enrolled in the study.…”

“…Based on the possession of household assets (i.e., refrigerator, sofa, bicycle, television, radio, and mobile telephone), values were computed for each urban and rural area. Finally, the wealth index was ranked into three: poor, medium, and rich by using principal component analysis [ 20 ].…”

“…Indeed, nothing else has been attempted, aside from the disaster relief and supplementary feeding programs [ 19 ]. Correspondingly, in Ethiopia, malnutrition among older adults is not well detected, and public health research disregards the study of malnutrition among older adults [ 20 ].…”

‘ Hunger would kill us instead of COVID‐19 ’: Elders' response to the pandemic in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia

“…While an increasing number of studies have documented the unmet needs of elders in Ethiopia before the pandemic (e.g. Abate et al., 2020 ; Abdi, 2012 ; Ayana, 2012 ; Chane & Adamek, 2015 ; Hamren et al., 2015 ; Moges et al., 2014 ; Zelalem et al., 2021 ), research on care and support for elders in response to COVID‐19 in Ethiopia is lacking. With the goal of shedding light on ways to protect elders from COVID‐19 infection and to ensure their basic needs are met, we examined Ethiopian elders’ responses and needs in relation to the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”