Abstract
BackgroundGrowth monitoring is used to assess the growth rate of a child by periodic and frequent anthropometric measurements in comparison to a standard. However, since the practice has been poor in Ethiopia, this study aimed to assess it and its associated factors among health workers in North Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based mixed study was conducted from April 1 to May 7, 2017, among 500 health workers. The multistage sampling technique was used to select participants. A structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, while non-participant observation and in-depth interviews were used to generate qualitative information. Qualitative data were coded, grouped, and discussed using the identified themes. A binary logistic regression was fitted, odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify the predictors of growth monitoring practice, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsGrowth monitoring practice among health workers was 50.4% (95% CI: 45, 55). Work experience (AOR = 4.27, 95%CI: 1.70, 10.72), availability of growth monitoring materials (AOR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.05, 2.20), attitude (AOR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.47, 0.98), midwifery occupation (AOR = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.19, 0.94), and diploma level qualification (AOR = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.09, 4.45) were statistically significantly associated with growth monitoring practice.ConclusionIn this study, growth monitoring practice among health workers was lower than those of most studies. Jobs, educational status, work experience, attitude, and availability of materials were significantly associated with growth monitoring practices. Therefore, giving training to health extension and less experienced staff about growth monitoring, and providing growth monitoring equipment are important to improve health workers growth monitoring practices.
Highlights
Growth monitoring is used to assess the growth rate of a child by periodic and frequent anthropometric measurements in comparison to a standard
Study design and setting An institution-based mixed study was conducted from April 01 to May 07, 2017, in North Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia, located 732 km from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to the northwest
The prevalence of Growth monitoring (GM) practice among health workers was 50.4%. This finding is in line with that of a study done in Tigray region (53.6%) [14], perhaps due to the similarities of health facility setups, accessibility of GM equipment, and workload
Summary
Growth monitoring is used to assess the growth rate of a child by periodic and frequent anthropometric measurements in comparison to a standard. Since the practice has been poor in Ethiopia, this study aimed to assess it and its associated factors among health workers in North Gondar zone, northwest Ethiopia. Growth monitoring (GM) is a process of regular weighing and comparing results with a standard to detect a change in growth rate irrespective of the starting height [1]. The most important issue in GM is not the position of the child on the growth curve but the direction of their growth to diagnose their health and nutritional status [2]. About 154 countries, including Ethiopia, use GM as an essential element of primary health care [5]. In Ethiopia, weight charts provide a graphic representation of child weight-for-age.
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