UNDERNUTRITION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADULT TUERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS OF ILU ABBA BOR ZONE; SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Background: Undernutrition and Tuberculosis are both problems of considerable magnitude in most of the underdeveloped regions of the world. They have a bidirectional relationship; having active tuberculosis leads to loss of weight and being underweight is a risk factor for developing tuberculosis. Nevertheless, little is known about magnitude of undernutrition and its associated factors among tuberculosis patients in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Objective: This study was aimed to assess undernutrition and its associated factors among adult tuberculosis patients in the public health centers of Ilu Abba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia,2022. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 495 randomly selected adult tuberculosis patients at public health centers of Ilu Abba Bor Zone from March 10, 2022 – June 10, 2022. Interviewer-administered questionnaires, tuberculosis treatment registration book reviews, and anthropometric measurements were used to collect data. Data were entered into Epidata version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were done to identify independent factors associated with undernutrition. Adjusted odd ratio along with 95% CI was estimated to assess the strength of the association and the level of statistical significance was declared at P-value <0.05. Results: The magnitude of undernutrition (BMI<18.5kg/m2) was found to be 50.7%;95% CI :(45.7, 55.7). Adult tuberculosis patients who were females [AOR=3.48, 95% CI:(1.918- 6.314)], no dietary counseling [AOR=2.51, 95% CI: (1.335-4.720)], initiation phase (less than two months) of the treatment [AOR=3.76, 95% CI:( 2.072-6.852)], Eating less than three times per day [AOR=3.6,95% CI: (1.942-6.676)] were significantly associated with undernutrition. Conclusion: The magnitude of undernutrition was high in the study area. Sex, duration of the treatment, dietary counseling, and meal frequency per day were factors independently associated with undernutrition in adult TB patients. Regular nutritional assessment and dietary counseling of all TB patients; and provision of nutritional support including food assistance for those who ate less than three times per day and for those undernourished.