Magnitude Of Undernutrition And Associated Factors Among Adolescents Living With Hiv In Puplic Health Facilities In West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025

Abstract

Background: HIV-infected individuals are particularly vulnerable to under nutrition, which is linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Due to the increased nutritional requirements brought on by growth spurts and HIV infection, adolescents living with HIV are at risk of under nutrition. ALHIV continues to receive little attention and a dearth of data ,particularly in the health facilities of the West Shewa Zone. Objective: To assess the magnitude of under nutrition and its associated factors among adolescents living with HIV enrolled at public health facilities in the West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, in 2025. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed among 402 adolescents living with HIV selected through systematic random sampling from June 1 to July 1, 2025, in public health facilities in the West Shoa Zone. Data were collected using a pretested, structured questionnaire developed from a literature review. The data were entered into the Kobo Tool application and analyzed using WHO Antroplus and SPSS software Version 27. BMI for Age (BAZ) and Height for Age (HAZ) were calculated to assess thinness and stunting, respectively, and exported to SPSS for further analysis. Standard deviation (SD) values (Z-scores) were used to evaluate undernutrition, with adolescents classified as thin or stunted if BAZ and HAZ were less than -2 SD. Weight and height were measured using scales and stadiometers, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from these measurements. The adjusted odds ratio, along with a 95% confidence interval, was used to assess the strength of the relationship, with a p value < 0.05 in multivariable logistic regression analysis indicating statistically significant associations. Results were presented in text, tables, and graphs. Results: A total of 402 adolescents living with HIV participated (100% response rate). About 27.9%, (95% CI: 24.0-32.2) were stunted , and 9.5%, (95% CI; 7.0- 12.3) were thin.Being male at (AOR= 1.98, 95% CI: 1.17-3.37). Late Adolescents at (AOR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.32–0.88). Participants who had family income of <1500 at (AOR = 0.398, 95% CI: 0.168-0.94). Participants whose WHO stage four at (AOR= 3.33, 95% CI: 1.19-9.3) were significantly associated with stunted. Late adolescents at (AOR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.19–0.98). Adolescents who had been on ART for less than five years at (AOR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.20–0.90) were significantly associated with thin. Conclusion: The magnitude of stunting was more than one-fourth which was higher than EDHS 2021 (29%) and the magnitude of thinness 9.5% which was higher than EDHS report 2021 (7%) . Being male, late adolescents, monthly income of < 1500 and WHO clinical stage four were significantly associated with stunting. Late adolescents, participants were < 5 years on ART were significantly associated with thinness. there is a need nutrition intervention beyond clinical settings and economic empowerments of adolescents living with HIV