Assessment of Nutritional Status and Associated Factors using selected biochemical parameters Among Internally Displaced Individuals at Debark Refugee Camp, North Gondor, North West Ethiopia; A cross-sectional study, 2022

Abstract

Abstract Background: Globally 144 million children under the age of five were stunted, 47 million were wasted, and 38 million were overweight and1.9 billion adults are overweight or obese, while 462 million are underweight. People living in humanitarian crisis areas such as refugee and IDP camps are particularly vulnerable groups accounting the highest portion of this numbers. However, there is limited information on the nutritional status and determinants factors of malnutrition among refugee and IDP camps in developing countries like Ethiopia, particularly in Debark refugee camp. Objective: To assess nutritional status and associated factors using selected biochemical parameters among IDPs living in Debark refugee camp, North, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Method and materials: Cross-sectional study was conducted with a systematic random sampling technique from March 09 to May 13, 2022. Sociodemographic and other variables were collected by trained data collectors using structured questionnaires in face-to-face interviews. Anthropometric measures such as mid-upper arm circumference), height, and weight were measured. Five ml of venous blood was collected for biochemical parameter assessment from children and adults while three ml was taken from infants. Both bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to measure the association between malnutrition and associated factors. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of malnutrition in Debark refugee camp was 44% (n=135) (95% CI: 38.7, 49.8). Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency among the IDPs were 44% and 21.8% respectively. Low dietary diversity (AOR= 3.7, 95% CI: 1.4, 9.9), low literacy (AOR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.1, 8.2), and high perceived stress (AOR=3.5, 1.04, 11.6) diarrheal disease (AOR=3.7, 95% CI; 1.4, 9.8), and low concentrations of albumin (AOR= 3.1, 95% CI:1.1, 8.5), folic acid (AOR, =3.195 %CI: 1.07,9.0), and total protein (AOR=7.25, 95% 2.7, 19.3) were determinant factor of malnutrition among IDPs in Debark refugee camp. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of malnutrition among IDPs in Debark refugee camp was high public health problem. In addition the prevalence of micronutrients deficiency were also high. Therefore, periodic nutritional assessment, education with regard to effective personal & environmental sanitary practice, provision of diversified food supplementation and focused policies and strategies towards IDPs particularly in conflict areas should be planned to alleviate problems associated with malnutrition.