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.
