Utilization of growth monitoring and promotion services and associated factors among children aged 0-23 months in Banja District, Northwest Ethiopia 2020: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Growth monitoring and promotion are the basic malnutrition preventive strategies usually used to assess the growth of children using anthropometric measurements in comparison with world health organization standards. However, the utilization of growth monitoring and promotion services is inadequate in most developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the utilization of growth monitoring and promotion service and associated factors among children aged 0-23-month in Banja District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2020. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2 to April 1, 2020. A total of 572 children were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.6 and analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25. Both binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses with a 95% confidence level were used to identify the associated factors. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. RESULTS: This finding revealed that the proportion of growth monitoring and promotion services utilization was 38.9% [95%CI: 34.8%, 43.0%]. Child age from 0-11 months [AOR = 4.98 (95% CI: 2.75,8.37)], mothers who can read and write Amharic language [AOR = 2.04 (95%CI: 1.02,4.08)], know the benefits of weighing their child monthly [AOR = 2.9 (95%CI: 1.23, 6.94)], presence of growth monitoring service nearby [AOR = 3.2 (95%CI: 1.59,6.31)] and monthly income ≥2000 Ethiopian birr [AOR = 1.75(95% CI = 1.08, 3.02)] were some of the factors significantly associated with utilization of growth monitoring and promotion services. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The findings indicate that utilization of growth monitoring and promotion services is mainly affected by child age, mother/caregiver ability to read and write Amharic language, having maternal information on the benefit of the weighing child, presence of service nearby health facility, and mother/caregiver monthly income. Preparation of growth monitoring charts in local language (Awigna) and creating awareness on the proper utilization of growth monitoring and promotion services is strongly recommended.