MAGNITUDE OF FETAL MALNUTRITION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG TERM NEWBORNS AT BIRTH IN SHASHEMENE PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES, WEST ARSI ZONE, OROMIA,

Abstract

Background: Fetal malnutrition is a clinical state of a baby of any BW and gestational age characterized by obvious intrauterine loss of or failure to acquire normal amounts of subcutaneous fat and muscle mass as it experienced deprivation of adequate calories, proteins and other nutrients necessary for proper growth and development. It is important to recognize fetal malnourished babies because of increased neonatal mortality and long-term sequelae. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of fetal malnutrition and associated factors among term newborn neonates at public health facilities of Shashemene, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Objective: The study aimed to determine the magnitude and to identify the factors associated with fetal malnutrition among term newborn neonates at public health facilities of Shashemene, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted on live-born full term babies (n=365) by using systematic sampling technique between April 1 and May 30, 2022, at Shashemen public health facilities. Using Clinical assessment of nutritional status (CAN) score, score <25 is Fetal Malnutrition. Clinical assessment of nutritional status was done on the basis of CAN score. The data was coded and entered into EPI data manager version 4.2 and it was exported to the SPSS version 26 for analysis. Binary and multiple regression analysis was used for analysis .variables with p-value of 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were fitted in multivariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05. Result: A total of 357 newborn/mother pairs were participated in the study with a response rate of 97.8%. The overall prevalence of fetal malnutrition in this study was 13.7 %( 95% CI: 10-17). Maternal mid upper arm circumference, placental weight and ANC visits were significantly associated with fetal malnutrition with AOR and CI [3.4(1.55-7.8), 2.6(1.1-6.5), 3.2(1-9.6))] respectively. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of fetal malnutrition was 13.7% which is relatively low compared to other studies. Therefore, Health care providers need to enable mothers to use ANC follow up during pregnancy to further reduce this problem by continuousand persistent awareness creation