Undernutrition and Associated Factors among Admitted Adult Surgical Patients in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: Undernutrition in surgical patients is found to be associated with reduced wound healing, increased
complication rates, length of hospital stay, mortality, and healthcare costs than normally nourished patients. However,
there is no enough evidence in Ethiopia that demonstrates how serious the issue is among adult patients. Therefore,
this study aimed to assess the magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among admitted adult surgical
patients in Harar, eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 admitted surgical patients in Jugal General
Hospital and Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital from December 20, 2018, to November 30,
2019. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information. Anthropometric measurements
and dietary diversity assessment were made at admission and discharge of the patient. The nutritional status of patients
was determined by Body Mass Index. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version
20 software. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with nutritional status at the time
of admission and discharge.
Results: A total of 87(21.9%) (95% CI: 17.9, 26.2) and 99 (24.9%) (95% CI: 20.7, 29.4) study participants were
underweighting at admission and discharge, respectively. Being in age groups 18-40 years (AOR=0.26; 95%CI: 0.09,
0.66) and 41-60 years (AOR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.54) and urban residence (AOR= 0.37; 95%:0.18, 0.76) were
significantly associated with underweight at admission. Being male (AOR= 0.39; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.76), age groups 18-
40 (AOR= 0.14; 95 % CI 0.04, 0.52) and 41-60 years (AOR=0.15; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.52), urban residents (AOR=0.26;
95%CI: 0.11, 0.57), those with the elective type of surgery (AOR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.82), hospital stay less than 5
days (AOR=0.14; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.69) were found to be significantly associated with underweight at discharge.
Conclusion: Undernutrition was high among surgical patients. Therefore, hospitals should apply nutritional assessment and nutritional counseling/support to surgically admitted patients considering the identified factors.
Keywords: Undernutrition; adult; surgical patients; Harar; eastern Ethiopia