Abstract
Background Undernutrition including stunting particularly at an adolescent stage was not emphasized by various intervention strategies in the Ethiopian context. Assessing the magnitude and potential risk factors of undernutrition is thus helpful for policymakers to design appropriate intervention strategies. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the magnitude of stunting and associated factors among adolescent students in Legehida district, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 424 adolescent students from February 15th to March 15th, 2018. A stratified sampling followed by a simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A pretested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the required data. Height was measured by using a portable stadiometer and the height-for-age (HFA) z-score was calculated as an indicator of stunting. SPSS version 25 and WHO AnthroPlus software were applied to analyze the data. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with adolescent stunting. Statistical significance was determined at a p value of <0.05 and association was described by using an odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval. Results A total of 406 adolescent students (with a response rate of 95.7%) participated in the study. The magnitude of stunting among adolescent students in this study was 24.9% (95% CI: 24.6%–35.3%). Conclusions Stunting among adolescent students was significantly associated with being male [AOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.73–5.90], meal frequency (<3/day) [AOR = 4.6; 95% CI: 2.61–8.24], infrequent handwashing practice [AOR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.30–9.40], absence of latrine facility (AOR = 5.51; 95% CI: 3.03–9.9), and consumption of unsafe water [AOR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.35–6.19]. Hence, conducting routine nutrition screenings and assessments, promotion of proper food intake, and emphasis on nutrition education and counseling are needed to be strengthened.
Highlights
Undernutrition including stunting at an adolescent stage was not emphasized by various intervention strategies in the Ethiopian context
Adolescents are especially vulnerable to undernutrition, in part because their rapid physical growth and development during puberty raise their nutritional needs. e absence of adequate nutrition is a risk for undermining this crucial period of growth and development
Assessing the magnitude and potential risk factors of undernutrition is helpful for policymakers to design appropriate intervention strategies. erefore, this study was aimed at assessing the magnitude of stunting and associated factors among adolescent students in Legehida district, Northeast Ethiopia
Summary
Undernutrition including stunting at an adolescent stage was not emphasized by various intervention strategies in the Ethiopian context. Assessing the magnitude and potential risk factors of undernutrition is helpful for policymakers to design appropriate intervention strategies. This study was aimed at assessing the magnitude of stunting and associated factors among adolescent students in Legehida district, Northeast Ethiopia. Adolescence is a critical period of puberty characterized by substantial physical, mental, and psychosocial changes fundamentally observed which demand various nutrients. It is a time of rapid physical growth with nutritional requirements increasing significantly. E greater demand for energy, protein, micronutrient, and minerals because of the substantial rate of growth and development makes the period vulnerable to malnutrition. Adolescents are especially vulnerable to undernutrition, in part because their rapid physical growth and development during puberty raise their nutritional needs. Undernutrition occurs when people do not absorb enough nutrients to cover their needs for energy, growth, and maintenance of a healthy
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