Prevalence of under nutrition and associated factors among elderly people in Gondar town, North West Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: Under nutrition among elderly population is becoming significant regardless of the progress on health care system in the world in general and in developing countries in particular. Elderly people are the most neglected but the highest vulnerable for under nutrition. Therefore This study is intended to show the magnitude of the problem and associated factors among elderly people in Gondar town. Objective: To assess prevalence of under nutrition and associated factors among old age people aged ≥ 65 years living in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2013 Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gondar town and two stage cluster sampling technique was used and a total of 757 respondents were included in the analysis weight and height of respondents was measured to calculate body mass index. The collected data were entered into Epi info and analysed using SPSS version 20.0 software packages. The degree of association between independent and dependent variables was assessed using odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and the level of significance was ≤0.05. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify the associated factors. Results: A total of 757 respondents were assessed for under nutrition status. The prevalence of under nutrition was found to be (21.9%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that Unable to read and write [AOR 2.686,95%CI (1.472,5.199)],being female [AOR 2.970,95%CI (1.631,5.408)], age ≥ 85 [AOR 38.141, 95% CI (15.016, 96.880)] being poor [AOR 1.783,95% CI (1.02,3.18)], poor dietary diversity score [AOR 3.704: CI 95% (1.797,7.626)] were found to be independently associated with under nutrition of elderly. Conclusion and recommendation: Prevalence of under nutrition among elderly is found to be high. Age, sex, educational status, dietary diversity score and wealth index were factors affecting under nutrition. Therefore, great attention should be given for this elderly age group and further researches should also be conducted.