Growth monitoring practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in Bale Zone, Oromia, Southeast Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study

Background: Growth monitoring is a critical aspect of child healthcare that enables early identification of growth faltering and timely interventions. Competency in growth monitoring is crucial for implementing the practices, preventing malnutrition and its associated consequences. However, data on growth-monitoring practices among healthcare workers in Ethiopia are scarce. Hence, this study aimed to assess growth monitoring practices and their associated factors among health professionals working with under-five children in Bale Zone, Oromia, and Southeast Ethiopia. Methods: A multi-facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 508 health professionals selected using simple random sampling techniques between May 31 and August 10, 2023. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The collected data were entered into Epi-data v 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS v 25. A binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors associated with growth monitoring practices. Statistical significance was declared using an aOR of 95% CI and a p-value less than 0.05. Results: Overall, the magnitude of good growth monitoring practices was 63.4% [95 CI: 59- 68]. The mean and SD of health professional age were 31.78 (± 3.92 SD). In multivariable logistic regression; The experience of health profession more than 11 years [aOR = 5.26; 95% CI: 3.14, 8.84], the health profession scored good knowledge [aOR = 5.11; 95% CI: 3.00, 8.71], favorable attitude of health workers [aOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.33, 5.00], the health workers received growth monitoring training [aOR = 3.98; CI: 2.47, 6.43], and the availability of growth monitoring equipment [aOR =3.52; CI: 2.19, 5.67] were significantly associated to growth monitoring practices. Conclusion: Six out of ten healthcare professionals had good growth monitoring practices, which is relatively low compared to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF's) recommendation. Health professional experience more than 11 years, the availability of growth monitoring equipment, health workers scored good knowledge, favorable attitude, and received training were significantly associated with good growth monitoring practices. Concerned stakeholders should work to improve growth monitoring practices through collaboration among healthcare providers, communities, and families. Moreover, staff training and sustainable supply and maintenance of growth monitoring equipment contribute to improving growth monitoring practices.