Undernutrition and its associated factors among school adolescent girls in Abuna Gindeberet district, Central Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Adolescent is the population whose age between 10–19 years old. They are undergoing rapid growth, development and are one of the nutritionally at-risk groups who should need attention. Adolescent undernutrition is a worldwide problem. Even if this stage brings the second window of opportunity to break the intergenerational cycle of undernutrition little is known specifically in the study area. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among school adolescent girls in Abuna Gindeberet district, Central Ethiopia, 2021. Methods Institution-based cross-sectional quantitative study design was conducted in Abuna Gindeberet district among 10–19 years adolescent girls attending primary and secondary schools from January 1–30, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 587 adolescent girls. Data were collected by using interviewer-administered structured and anthropometric measurements. Data were coded, then entered into the Epi-info version 7.2.2.6 and exported to SPSS version 25 and WHO Anthro plus for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify predictors of under nutrition. Level of statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results The overall magnitude of stunting and thinness were 15.4% [95% CI (12–18)] and 14.2% [95% CI (11–17)] respectively. Number of meals per day [AOR = 3.62, 95% C.I (2.16, 6.05)], adolescent girls of lower grades [AOR = 2.08, 95% C.I (1.07, 4.04)] and who did not begin menstruation [AOR = 1.71, 95% C.I (1.06, 2.73)] were significantly associated with stunting. Adolescent girls engaged in vigorous intensity activities [AOR = 2.51, 95% C.I (1.14, 5.54)], poor dietary diversity score [AOR = 4.05, 95% C.I (1.43, 11.46)] and adolescent age [AOR = 3.77, 95% C.I (1.06, 13.37)] were significantly associated with thinness among adolescent girls. Conclusions Adolescent girl's undernutrition is a public health problem in the study area. The number of meals per day, adolescent girls of lower grades and who did not begin menstruation were significantly associated with stunting as well as adolescent girls engaged in vigorous-intensity activities; poor dietary diversity score and adolescent age were significantly associated with thinness among adolescent girls. Therefore, government and other stakeholders should focus on these identified factors to improve the nutritional status of adolescent girls.

Undernutrition and Associated Factors Among Young Patients on Anti-retroviral Therapy in North Shoa, Oromia, Etiopia,2022. A Facility- Based Cross-sectional Study

“…Those who have no formal education were about eight times more stunt and four times thinner compared with study participants who have Secondary and above educational levels. There was a similar nding with studies in Sub-Saharan Africa [2], among Adolescent School Girls in Adwa Town, North Ethiopia [14], and among school adolescent girls in Abuna Gindeberet district, Central Ethiopia [4]. The possible reason for this was that school attending helped to get more information about a balanced diet and the mechanism of disease prevention and health promotion compared with their counterparts.…”

“…Undernutrition in icts long-lasting damage to adolescents and young including delayed physical and cognitive development, increased future vulnerability to chronic diseases, and unfavorable future birth outcomes in girls, resulting in decreased learning ability, poor concentration, and impaired school performance. Speci cally, in adolescents and youth living with HIV, undernutrition leads to fast disease progression, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections and mortality [4].HIV infections can reduce appetite, decrease the body's absorption of nutrients, and make the body use nutrients faster than usual to repair the immune system. HIV can cause or aggravate malnutrition through reduced food intake, increased energy needs, and poor nutrient absorption [4,5].…”

“…Speci cally, in adolescents and youth living with HIV, undernutrition leads to fast disease progression, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections and mortality [4].HIV infections can reduce appetite, decrease the body's absorption of nutrients, and make the body use nutrients faster than usual to repair the immune system. HIV can cause or aggravate malnutrition through reduced food intake, increased energy needs, and poor nutrient absorption [4,5]. In turn, malnutrition can fasten the progression of HIV and worsen its impact by weakening the immune system.…”