MAGNITUDE OF UNDERNUTRITION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE SERVED IN PUBLIC SERVANTS SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY IN HARAR EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Undernutrition in the elderly have adverse effects on physiological functions and another clinical outcome such as decreased quality of life, higher infection and complications, muscle wasting, hospitalization and even higher mortality. In many developing countries including Ethiopia, there is a dearth of information as well as epidemiological data on the nutritional status of the elderly, since studies regarding the nutritional status of these groups are limited. Objective: To assess magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among elderly people enrolled in Public Servants Social Security Agency in Harar from June 8 to August 11 2020. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out among 337 elderly people enrolled in Public Servants Social Security Agency at Harar Branch. Structured questionnaire administered through interviewer was used to collect socio-economic data and data on associated factors of malnutrition. Mini Nutritional Assessment tool short form was used to assess nutritional status of elderly. Data were coded and entered using Epi Data software version 3.1 and transferred to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 software for analysis. Ordinal logistic regression was done to assess factors associated with undernutrition. Those variables with p value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant associated. Result: The overall prevalence of undernutrition among elderly in the present study area was 16.6% (95% CI: 13.0%, 20.9%). While 45.1% (95% CI: 39.9%, 50.4%) of the participants were at risk of undernutrition. Being unable to read and write (ordinal logistic regression= 3.64; 95% CI, 1.98, 6.72), elderly and elderly who had morbidities (ordinal logistic regression= 2.05; 95% CI, 1.15, 3.64) were found significantely and positively assocated with undernutrition. Conclusion: The magnitude of undernutrition among study participants is public health problem. Educational status, and morbidity were found to be independent predictors of under nutrition. Intervention programs given attention to elderly with low educational status and morbidities is recommended