Abstract:
Introduction: Despite the fact that adolescence is window of opportunity to break the
intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and prepare nutritionally for a healthy adult life,
they are the neglected age groups. Hence information regarding the nutritional status
of adolescents is lacking specially including pubertal landmarks making intervention
programs creating and implementation difficult.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of thinness, stunting and associated factors
among adolescent school girls in Adwa town, Northern Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution based cross sectional study design was employed from
March to April, 2014, at Adwa town schools. A total of 823 adolescent girl students
were selected randomly from five schools. Data were collected using interviewer
administered pretested semi-structured questionnaire and anthropometric
measurements. Data were entered using EPI INFO version 3.5.3 satircal software
and analyzed using SPSS version 16 and WHO Anthroplus software.
Results: The prevalence of thinness and stunting were 21.4% and 12.2%
respectively. Age of adolescent[AOR (95% CI) =2.15(1.14,4.03)],enrolling in
governmental school [AOR(95%CI)=2.89(1.20,6.91)], mother’s educational
status[AOR (95% CI) =2.34(1.14,4.80)], eating less than 3 meal per day[AOR (95%
CI) =1.66(1.12,2.46)], having family size >5 [AOR(95% CI)= 2.53(1.66,3.86)] ,
unimproved source of drinking water [AOR (95% CI) =3.27(1.98,5.40)] were
significantly associated with thinness among the adolescent girls. Family size >5
[AOR (95% CI)= 2.05(1.31,3.23)],unimproved source of drinking water [AOR(95% CI)
=3.82(2.20,6.62)], and did not start menstruation [AOR (95% CI)= 2.80(1.75,4.48)]
were significantly associated with stunting.
Conclusion: this study revealed that thinness and stunting are prevalent problems in
the study area. Strategies to improve the nutritional status of girls should be given
much attention to correct nutritional problems before conception to break the
intergenerational cycle of malnutrition.
