Author(s): Daniel Sisay Woldetsadik*, Temesgen Muche Ewune, Tesentu Manyazwal, Solomon Hailemariam Tesfaye, Bereket Bizuneh Bekele, Tofic Shifa Ahmedin, Tesfaye Temesgen Chekol, Mequaninint Ayehu Akele, Mesfin Abebe, Habtamu Endashaw Hareru
Background: Adolescence is the period of development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. Nutrient needs are extremely high during this period, so nutritional inadequacy is common, particularly in low-income areas. As a result, 3 the purpose of this study was to assess underweight and the community and individual level factors that contribute to it in adolescent girls aged 15-19 years in Ethiopia.
Methods: Data from the Ethiopian demography and health survey 2016 were used. In Ethiopia, a multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify individual and community level factors associated with underweight in adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years. Finally, the adjusted odds ratio was reported, along with a 95% confidence interval.
Results: The magnitude of underweight among adolescent girls was 32.48% (31.60-64.02). In the multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis; individual level variables such as being at the age of 16 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=1.74; 95% CI: 1.23-2.47), 17 years (AOR=2.84; 95% CI: 1.98-4.05), 18 years (AOR=3.10; 95% CI: 2.14-4.49), 19 years (AOR=4.33; 95% CI: 2.76-6.79) and being secondary education (AOR=0.18; 95% CI: 0.07-0.44), has menstruated in last six weeks (AOR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.45-2.73) and family size greater than five (AOR=1.73; 95% CI: 1.22-2.45) were significantly associated with underweight among adolescent girls, among community level variables; living in city regions (AOR=1.72; 95% CI: 1.13-2.64), living in Agrarian regions (AOR=2.01; 95% CI: 1.44-2.80) and use of improved toilet facility (AOR=1.15; 95% CI: 0.64-2.05) were significantly associated with underweight among adolescent girls.
Conclusion: In this study the magnitude of underweight adolescent girls was high. Family size, menstruated in last six weeks, region and type of toilet facility were the most essential factors associated with underweight. Therefore, interventions targeting community organization of acute malnutrition in adolescents might be appropriate to manage the problem of underweight and also efforts should also be made to reduce underweight by focusing on the identified associated factors.
