Child Growth Monitoring and Promotion Practice and Associated Factors among Health Care Workers at Public Health Institutions in South Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia: An Institution based Cross Sectional Study

Background: Even though Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) has been practicing in many countries including Ethiopia for well children less than two years of age to prevent malnutrition, there is still a chance to acquire malnutrition in Ethiopia. However, there is no study that documented the proportion of GMP practice and associated factors in the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess GMP practice and identify associated factors among health care workers. Methods Institution based cross- sectional study design was employed on 397 randomly selected health care workers in South Wollo Zone, northeast Ethiopia from May 25 to July 7, 2020. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interview were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative part. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify associated factors with GMP practice. Statistical tests at P-value < 0.05 with 95% confidence interval were taken for statistical significance. Results The proportion of GMP practice among health care workers was 58.4% with (95% CI: 54.0–63.0). First degree (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.005, 5.05), diploma (AOR = 3.52; 95% CI: 2.04, 6.09), work experience on GMP (AOR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.58, 6.20), GMP training (AOR = 4.83; 95% CI: 2.89, 8.06), GMP equipment (AOR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.64, 4.58) and attitude towards GMP (AOR = 3.70; 95% CI: 2.228, 6.174) were factors significantly associated with GMP practice. Conclusions The proportion of GMP practice among health care workers was 58.4%. Educational level, work experience on GMP, GMP training, GMP equipment and attitude towards GMP were positively associated with GMP practice. Therefore, Ministry of Health should strengthen availability of GMP equipment, GMP training, and bring positive attitude towards GMP to improve GMP practice with special focus on health care workers with lower experience on GMP service.