Magnitude and Associated Factors of Undernutrition among elderly people in Shashemene District, West Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background Undernutrition in the elderly adversely affects physiological and clinical outcomes, and the elderly are among the most vulnerable and high-risk groups for malnutrition. However, undernutrition in the elderly is often underdiagnosed or neglected. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of undernutrition among elderly people in the Shashemene district, West Arsi Zone, Oromia region, South Ethiopia, in 2021. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Shashemene district from March 01 to March 31, 2021. After obtaining informed written consent, socio-demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were collected from 594 elderly people using a pre-structured questionnaire. The data were entered into Epidata Version 3.1, then analysed using SPSS Version 20. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with undernutrition. Those variables with a P-value of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results The overall magnitude of undernutrition among the elderly in the present study was 27.9%. Undernutrition was more common among male (29.7%) than female (21.7%) study participants. On multivariate logistic regression, being not satisfied with life (AOR: 4.5, 95% C.I.: 1.29, 15.69) and having an income of < 1500 Ethiopian birr (AOR: 0.021, 95% C.I.: 0.001–0.376) were factors associated with undernutrition. Conclusion This study found that the overall magnitude of undernutrition among the elderly is high and needs attention. Therefore, to improve the nutritional status of the elderly in the district, health offices and health professionals should give more attention to the elderly.