Under Nutrition and Associated Factors among Adolescent Pregnant Women in Shashemenne District, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia: A Communitybased Study

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy places adolescent females who, in general, are at risk for nutritional problems at even greater risk. This study aimed to determine prevalence of under nutrition and identifying associated factors among adolescent pregnant women in Shashemenne district, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia from March 10/2015-March 31/2015. Methods: A cross-sectional, community based study was conducted on 424 adolescent pregnant women existing in ten randomly selected rural and urban kebeles (kebele is the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia). Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurement in their own respective homes. MUAC of <22 cm defined under nutrition. Data were analyses by SPSS version 21. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of under nutrition. Results: In this study, the mean MUAC (± SD) of the study participants was 22.0cm (± 2.8) and 34.0%, 95%CI: 29.5%, 38.4% of the women were undernourished. Women married before 15 years [AOR=7.3, 95%CI (9.5-23.7)] were sixteen times more likely undernourished than those married between 18-19 years. Whereas; Literate women [AOR=0.3, 95%CI (0.2-0.8)], No ANC visits [AOR=6.0, 95%CI (1.2-30.1)], Less than three pregnancies [AOR=0.1, 95%CI (0.03-0.3)], having support [AOR=0.4, 95%CI (0.2-0.8)] and Workload [AOR=13.6, 95%CI (6.3-28.8)]. Conclusion: The level of under nutrition was high. Thus, pregnant teenager’s targeted efforts should be made by al concerned bodies to improve the health and nutritional conditions of teenage mothers and their offspring.