Undernutrition in Adults Hospitalized Patients: Magnitude and Associated Factors at the University Hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso

Background: Despite numerous advances in medicine and clinical care, in developing countries, adult undernutrition is overlooked and not considered as a sufficient medical priority. The objective of this study was to identify the magnitude of adult undernutrition and its associated factors in hospitalized patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study, performed in the university hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso, from August to September 2016, in a sample of 244 adult individuals. Patients were included in the study consecutively to their admission. A structured questionnaire was applied consisting of anthropometric, clinical and dietary data. The patients were evaluated and dichotomized into undernourished and non-undernourished. The rate of undernutrtion was reported using and associated factors were tested using the unadjusted crude Odds ratios (COR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and the Chi-square test. Results: Undernutrition occurred in 32.4% of the sample and at the univariate analysis, the variables associated with undernutrition were: recent and involuntary weight loss (COR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.45 - 4.59, p < 0.001); disease chronic evolution (COR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.23 - 4.23, p = 0.008) and females (COR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.02 - 6.06, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Adult undernutrition is common in hospitalized patients. A proper early diagnosis and therapy need to be considered as medical priority of the entire healthcare team that treats adult’s inpatients.