Table 2 Binary logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with wasting among children admitted to pediatric intensive care at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia February 1, 2018, to July 30, 2019 (n = 313)

Age in months

 ≤12

25

63

1

1

 13-24

10

19

1.32(0.54 3.24)

1.16(0.41 3.31)

 25-60

15

51

0.74(0.35 1.55)

0.53(0.21 1.30)

 61-132

23

40

1.45(0.72 2.89)

1.15(0.50 2.63)

 >132

27

40

1.70(0.86 3.33)

1.39(0.63 3.06)

Caregiver’ level of education

 No formal education

90

153

3.52(1.72 7.23)

4.43(1.62 12.10)*

 Primary and above

10

60

1

1

Caregivers’ occupation

 Farmers

76

147

1

1

 Merchants and private

6

26

0.44(0.17 1.15)

0.75(0.23 2.40)

 Government employee

6

25

0.46(0.18 1.18)

0.64(0.15 2.81)

 Unemployed

12

15

1.54(0.69 3.47)

1.58(0.59 4.24)

Source of admission

 Home

8

28

1

1

 Other facilities

8

29

0.96(0.31 2.92)

1.08(0.32 3.59)

 Emergency room

60

129

1.62(0.70 3.78)

1.88(0.75 4.73)

 Wards

24

27

3.11(1.19 8.11)

2.98(1.02 8.69)*

Duration of illness before visit any health facility

 <6 days

38

126

1

1

 ≥6 days

62

87

2.36(1.45 3.84)

2.14(1.22 3.77)*

Comorbidities

 Yes

73

197

4.55(2.32 8.93)

6.85(2.93 16.05)*

 No

27

16

1

1

Critical illness

 Yes

44

56

2.20(1.33 3.62)

1.48(0.82 2.65)

 No

56

157

1

1