Growth Monitoring and Promotion Practice and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Workers in Public Health Facilities of Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia, 2023/2024: Mixed Study Design
Gebrehiwet Haile Bezabh, Gebregziabher Kidanemariam AsfawBackground
Growth monitoring promotion (GMP) is a preventive and promotive child health activity that integrates growth monitoring with health and nutrition counseling. Appropriate GMP practice during the first 2 years of life is essential for preventing malnutrition.
Objective
To assess GMP practice and associated factors among healthcare workers at public health facilities in central zone Tigray, Ethiopia, 2023/2024.
Methods
An institution‐based mixed‐methods study was conducted among 407 healthcare workers. Ten woredas were selected using simple random sampling, and healthcare workers directly involved in GMP were included. Quantitative data were collected using self‐administered questionnaires, whereas qualitative data were obtained through in‐depth and key informant interviews using semistructured questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23, and statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
Results
The prevalence of appropriate GMP practice was 45.9% (95% CI: 40.8–50.6). Diploma‐level education (AOR = 0.260; 95% CI: 0.073–0.923), good knowledge (AOR = 3.091; 95% CI: 1.499–6.373), nursing profession (AOR = 2.489; 95% CI: 1.211–5.117), work experience of ≥ 11 years (AOR = 4.722; 95% CI: 1.00–7.42), training (AOR = 3.404; 95% CI: 1.386–8.363), and lower workload (AOR = 6.651; 95% CI: 3.647–12.129) were significantly associated with GMP practice.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Level of education, profession, work experience, knowledge, training, and workload were factors associated with growth monitoring and promotion practice. The regional health bureau should strengthen training, ensure adequate human resources, and retain more experienced healthcare workers at GMP practice sites.