Magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among adult tuberculosis patients in West Shoa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: There is a growing realization that undernutrition imposes a significant risk for Tuberculosis (TB) burden, particularly in resource-limited settings. Despite this rationalization, the association between undernutrition and tuberculosis is not explicitly demonstrated in the study settings. Thus, the aimed to evaluate the magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among adult tuberculosis patients in West Shoa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, 2023. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study among 397 participants. A systematic random sampling technique was used from 28th April to 20th May 2023. Data were obtained by structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify factors independently associated with undernutrition among adult tuberculosis patients. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained, with the significance level set at a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The overall magnitude of undernutrition was 38.1% (95%CI = 33.27, 42.92). Multivariable logistic analysis revealed that undernutrition was significantly influenced by young age between 18 and 24 years [AOR = 3.85, 95% CI (1.92,7.74)] and 25-34 years [AOR = 2.00, 95% CI (1.32,3.91)], having no formal education [AOR = 2.90, 95% CI (1.41,5.95)], low household wealth index [AOR = 1.79,95% CI (1.23,3.11)], alcohol consumption [AOR = 1.98, 95% CI (1.24,3.43)], having more than size 5 family members in the households [AOR = 1.73, 95% CI (1.26,2.82)], and lack of nutritional care and support [AOR = 1.84, 95% CI (1.39,3.09)]. CONCLUSIONS: The study found a high prevalence of undernutrition (38.1%; 95% CI: 33.27-42.92%) among adult TB patients. Younger age, no formal educational status, low household wealth index, and alcohol consumption, larger family size, and having no nutritional care and support were significant predictors of undernutrition. These findings highlight the need for integrated nutritional assessment and support and socioeconomic interventions for TB patients during treatment.