Abstract

Introduction: Chronic energy deficiency is an important public health problem among elders aged ≥ 65 years. One in seven older people aged ≥ 65 years has a medium to high risk of malnutrition, globally. The situation of chronic energy deficiency among elders aged ≥ 65 years is quite poorly known in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the magnitude of chronic energy deficiency and associated factors among elders’ aged ≥ 65 years, in Aykel town administration, Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out from March 28^th to April 20^th, 2018. Study participants were recruited by a census technique. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis used to identify factors associated with chronic energy deficiency. All variables with P–values of < 0.2 in the bivariate analysis were remarked for the multivariable analysis.  Both Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) were computed to determine the strength of association. In the multivariate analysis, all variables at P–values of < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant with chronic energy deficiency.

Results: A total of 892 participants recruited for the study. The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency was 17.6% (95%CI: 15.0, 20.20) among the study community. It was significantly associated with female sex (AOR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.04, 2.41), age (AOR: 3.90; 95%CI: 1.85, 8.25), household food insecurity (AOR: 1.95; 95%CI: 1.16, 3.00), poor household wealth status (AOR: 1.77; 95%CI: 1.07, 2.94), loss of appetite due to illness  (AOR: 2.93, 95%CI: 1.92, 4.48)] and poor dietary diversity score (AOR: 5.51; 95%CI: 2.89, 10.52).

Conclusion: The magnitude of chronic energy deficiency was low in the study area. It was significantly associated with sex, age, poor dietary diversity score, loss of appetite due to illness, household food insecurity and wealth status. Therefore, there is a need to design and implement programs and strategies to improve nutritional status among elders in the Northwest part of Ethiopia. In addition, improving household economic and living standards is an essential measure to address the burden of chronic energy deficiency among the older community.

Keywords: Chronic Energy Deficiency; Elders; Associated Factors; Northwest Ethiopia;