Determinants of undernutrition among older adults in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia: a community-based study

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among older adults aged 65 years in the south Gondar Zone, Ethiopia, in 2020.

Design: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted from 1 October to 15 December 2020, in the South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling. A pretested and structured questionnaire adapted from different literature was used to collect data. Anthropometric measurements were taken following the standard procedure.

Participants: A total of 290 older adults aged greater than or equal to 65 years of age were included in the study.

Data analysis: Descriptive and summary statistics were employed. Multiple logistic regression was fitted to identify determinants of undernutrition. ORs and their 95% CIs were computed to determine the level of significance.

Outcome measures: Undernutrition was assessed by using Body Mass Index and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool.

Results: The prevalence of undernutrition was 27.6% (95% CI 22.4 to 32.8), and 2.1% (95% CI 0.7 to 3.8) of the study participants were overweight. Based on the MNA tool, 29.7% (95% CI 24.5 to 35.2) of the study participants were undernourished and 61.7% (95% CI 55.5 to 67.2) were at risk of undernourishment. Rural residence adjusted OR (aOR)=10.3 (95% CI 3.6 to 29.4), inability to read and write aOR=3.5 (95% CI 1.6 to 7.6), decrease in food intake aOR=13.5 (95% CI 6.1 to 29.5) and household monthly income of less than US$35.6 aOR=4.3 (95% CI 1.9 to 9.4) were significantly and independently associated with undernutrition.

Conclusion: The level of undernutrition among older adults in the study area was high, making it an important public health burden. The determinants of undernutrition were a place of residence, educational status, food intake and monthly income.