Growth monitoring and promotion service utilization and associated factors among children under-two years of age in Samara–logia city of Afar Region, Northeast Ethiopia

Introduction: Utilizing growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) during the first two years of birth helps to detect common childhood health problems (e.g., malnutrition and infections) at early stages and offers an opportunity for promoting education and nutritional counselling. However, no previously published study has investigated the level of GMP utilization and associated factors among pastoralist Ethiopian mothers including the Afar National and Regional State (ANRS), where under-nutrition is the major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. This is the first study aimed to investigate the utilization and associated factors of GMP service for infants and young children in the ANRS of Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 202 in the Samara-logia city administration. A total of 416 children aged two years were selected using a random sampling technique, and an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to examine the influence of explanatory variables (including socio-demographic, obstetric and health service, and health literacy factors) on the utilization of GMP services. Results The overall utilization of GMP for infants and children was 15.9% with 95% confidence intervals (CI) from 12.0% to 19.5%. Children whose fathers attained college or higher schooling were more likely to utilize GMP services (AOR = 12.40; 95% CI: 4.15, 37.4). Children who resided in households with a higher number of children were less likely to utilize GMP services (AOR = 0.10; 95%CI: 0.03, 0.26 for households with 3-4 children and AOR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.48 for children with 4+). The odds for GMP service utilization was significantly higher among children who received postnatal care (AOR = 9.68; 95% CI: 3.57, 26.20). Conclusion The utilization of GMP services is lower to support the reduction of child morbidity and mortality attributed to malnutrition for infants and children in Ethiopia. A higher level of schooling and those who received postnatal care were more likely to utilize GMP, while those who were from households with a higher number of children were less likely to utilize GMP. Our findings suggest strengthening GMP service in Ethiopia, and focused efforts are required on the modifiable associated factors.