Growth Monitoring and Promotion Service Utilization and Associated Factors Among Mothers/Caregivers of Children 0-23 Months in Sude District, Southeast Ethiopia.

Inadequate physical growth and poor development are significant global challenges affecting millions of children. Globally, 149.2 million children under five experience stunted growth and 45.4 million suffer from wasting. Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) programmes aim to identify growth faltering in children before they develop malnutrition. However, understanding the factors influencing GMP service utilization is crucial for improving its effectiveness in the study area. This community-based cross-sectional study in the Sude district of southeastern Ethiopia investigated GMP service utilization among mothers of children aged 0-23 months. The study included 874 participants selected through systematic random sampling. Data collected through a structured questionnaire revealed a GMP service utilization rate of 40.2%. The study identified several factors significantly associated with GMP service utilization. This includes maternal education, husband involvement, institutional delivery, maternal autonomy and birth interval, which are the most significant factors identified to influence GMP service utilization. Mothers with higher levels of education were more likely to utilize GMP services [AOR = 3.70 (95% CI: 2.09, 6.54)]. Discussions about child growth with husbands were linked to increased GMP utilization [AOR = 2.22 (95% CI: 1.24, 3.968)]. Moreover, mothers who delivered at health facilities and with greater autonomy in decision-making showed higher GMP utilization with [AOR = 1.83 (95% CI: 1.23, 2.72)] and [AOR = 3.79 (95% CI: 2.41, 5.96), respectively. Mothers with longer birth intervals were also more likely to utilize GMP services [AOR = 1.947 (95% CI: 1.39, 2.73)]. The study highlights the importance of addressing these factors to increase GMP service utilization and improve child health outcomes in the study area. Behavioural change communication programmes targeting fathers can promote their engagement in child growth discussions. Moreover, empowering women to make decisions about their children's health and access to healthcare services and promoting open communication within families about child growth and development can raise awareness and support for GMP services. Addressing these factors through targeted interventions will promote GMP utilization and improve child growth and development.