Magnitude of Under Nutrition and Associated Factors Among Adolescent Street Children at Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia

Objective : This study assessed the prevalence of under-nutrition and its associated factors among adolescent street children at Jimma town from March 1-31, 2019. Results : A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 312 street children from March 1 st to 31 st . The study found 29.2% [95% C.I: 24%- 34.0%] and 30.4% [95% C.I; 24.6% - 35.3%] prevalence of thinness and stunting respectively. Being female [AOR: 2.55, 95%C.I: 1.16- 5.63], Ever skipped one or more daily meal per day [AOR: 6.56, 95%C.I: 2.25- 19.15], Inadequate dietary diversity score [AOR: 1.86, 95%C.I: 1.05- 3.27] and using unprotected water source [AOR: 1.78, 95%C.I: 1.03- 3.05] were statistically significant factors for thinness whereas being in age group15-18 [AOR: 5.78, 95%C.I: 3.20 -10.40] and ever used substance [AOR: 3.01, 95%C.I: 1.17 -7.77] were statistically significant factors for stunting. Interventions including nutritional support, lifestyle modification and personal and environmental hygiene shall be provided to these segments of the population to alleviate the problem. Key Words - Adolescent, street children, stunting, thinness, under nutrition.