Prevalence and Predictors of Undernutrition Among Hospitalized Children in Orotta National Referral and Teaching Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Undernutrition remains a significant global public health concern, contributing to physical and cognitive impairment, as well as high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in children under five years of age. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of undernutrition and its predictors among children under five admitted to Orotta National Referral and Teaching Hospital (ONRTH). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February 1 and April 30, 2022, among pediatric patients at the ONRTH. A data collection tool adopted from WHO Child Growth Standards was used to capture the necessary data. Descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression were employed using SPSS (Version 26) and R (Version 4.2). Results: A total of 218 children under the age of five were enrolled, with a median age of 12.0 months (Interquartile Range [IQR]=24.0). The overall prevalence of undernutrition was found to be 59.2% (95% CI: 52.6, 65.5), with severe acute undernutrition accounting for 39.9% and moderate acute undernutrition for 19.3%. Multivariable analysis revealed that children residing outside Asmara had significantly higher odds of undernutrition (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=2.81, 95% CI: 1.17, 6.73) compared to those within the city. Similarly, patients who received inadequate food servings per day were found to have substantially higher odds of undernutrition (AOR=12.55, 95% CI: 4.43, 35.52). In contrast, children admitted with infections had significantly lower odds of undernutrition compared to those with cardiac complications (AOR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.78). Conclusion: The prevalence of undernutrition among the hospitalized children in this study was found to be exceptionally high. This highlights undernutrition as a critical public health crisis requiring urgent intervention in this low-resource setting.