Associated Factors for Adolescent Under Nutrition in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction

In Ethiopia, there are different pocket studies assessing the risk factors for adolescent under nutrition which comes up with inconsistent and inconclusive findings. Therefore, quantifying the risk factor using meta-analysis is crucial for evidence based intervention.

Objective

To assess the associated factors for adolescent under nutrition in Ethiopia

Methods

Systematic review of eligible articles was conducted using preferred reporting items for systemic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search of literature was made in PubMed, Google and Google Scholar. Article quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonrandomized studies in meta-analyses.  The odds ratio of the associated factors with its 95% confidence interval was computed using STATA version 14 software.

Results

Twenty two studies were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 17,854 adolescents. Random effects model was used for analysis. Rural residence, family size >=5, unprotected water source for drinking and household food insecurity were significant risk factors for adolescent stunting.  Early adolescent age (10-14 years), family size >=5, food insecure household, lack of latrine, WHO diet diversity score<6, mother educational status were statistically significant risk factors for adolescent underweight.

Conclusion

Early adolescents’ age, low WHO diet score, family size>=5, illiteracy of mother, food insecure household, unsafe water source for drinking, lack of latrine and rural residence were statistical significant factors for adolescent under nutrition. Therefore, Adolescent nutritional interventions addressing the above risk factors should be designed and implemented in the country.

Keywords: Adolescent, undernutrition, associated factors, Ethiopia.