Level of malnutrition and associated factors among community-dwelling rural older adults in Fogera Zuriya district, Northwest Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES: Malnutrition is very common among older adults. In rural Ethiopia, around 25% of women and 34% of men ≥65 y of age are malnourished. However, the risk factors for malnutrition among older adults in rural areas are not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the level of malnutrition and associated factors among community-dwelling rural older adults in Fogera Zuriya district, Northwest Ethiopia. MATERIALS: This was a community-based, cross-sectional study among randomly selected (N = 634) adults ≥65 y of age in Fogera Zuriya rural district. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A pretested full Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool was used to classify as malnourished (MNA score <17), at risk for malnutrition (MNA score 17-23.5), or otherwise normal. A validated Geriatric Depression Scale form (15 items) was used to assess depression. Ordinal logistic regression was employed to identify factors of malnutrition and the PLUM procedure was used to produce an odds ratio (OR). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant with the dependent variable. Both crude and adjusted ORs (COR and AOR, respectively) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval were computed. RESULTS: This study included 634 older adults. According to the results of the study, the risk for malnutrition was 383 (60%), and being malnourished was 166 (268%). The following factors were significantly associated with the risk for malnutrition and malnutrition: • Age ≥85 y (AOR, 3.47; 95% CI, 1.270-9.465); • Skipping two meals daily (AOR, 6.36; 95% CI, 2.11-19.16); • Skipping 1 meal a day (AOR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.82-5.12); • Having a poor appetite (AOR, 6.2; 95% CI, 2.50-15.36); • Being depressed (AOR, 4.04; 95% CI, 2.37-6.89); • Low physical activity (AOR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.50-9.72); • Family size of three of less members (AOR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.14-3.24); and • Low dietary diversity score (AOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.11-3.31) CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of malnourished (26%) was almost higher than the national average in Ethiopia (21%). Older age, skipping a meal, poor appetite, depression, low physical activity, and low dietary diversity score were factors significantly associated with the risk for malnutrition and malnutrition. Along with this, improving diet and exercise should be a top priority. Maintaining continuing psychological support, social support, and a balanced family size within the community should be additional interventions.