Undernutrition and associated factors among older adults living in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

Abstract Introduction: In any society, older adults are among the vulnerable and high-risk groups in health status. In this age group undernutrition is a major health concern, multifactorial, and has serious negative consequences including decreased resistance to infection, declined functional status, loss of independence, and affected quality of life but it is inadequately recognized and addressed. Despite their growing numbers and nutritional needs, older people in Ethiopia have been given little attention, and there are limited studies done about undernutrition in this population in Northern Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among older adults living in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from September 5 to November 25, 2024. A multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit a total of 579 study participants aged 60 and above. The MNA-SF tool was used to assess undernutrition. The data was collected through the Kobo toolbox using face-to-face interviews, entered into Microsoft Excel, and then exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Variables having a p < 0.25 at bivariable logistic regression were included in the multivariable logistic regression. Finally, variables with a p-value < 0.05 at a 95% CI and adjusted odds ratio were statistically significant in multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among the 567 participants enrolled, the overall prevalence of undernutrition was 24.5% (95% CI: 21.0–28.3). Being female (AOR = 1.81, CI 1.19-2.76), age 80 years and older (AOR = 1.73, CI 1.03-2.91), being unable to read and write (AOR= 3.06, CI 1.54-6.08), being widowed (AOR = 1.63, CI 1.00-2.63) and smoking (AOR = 1.88, CI 1.19-2.99) were significantly associated with undernutrition. Conclusion and recommendation: This study found that the prevalence of undernutrition among older adults in the study area was high, making it an important public health issue. Being female, age 80 years and older, being widowed, being unable to read and write, and smoking were factors associated with undernutrition. Therefore, we suggest that education focus on very old and female older adults in improving dietary practice, incorporating behavioral supports to assist in the cessation of smoking to ensure healthy aging.