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Prevalence Of Early Childhood Malnutrition And Influencing Factors In Peri Urban Areas Of Kabarole District, Western Uganda
Turyashemererwa, FM; Kikafunda, JK & Agaba, E
Abstract
Uganda has one of the highest levels of childhood stunting in sub-Saharan Africa. It is
well documented that the nutritional status of young children is one of the most
sensitive indicators of sudden changes in health status and food availability, acting as
a proxy indicator of socio-economic development. Kabarole District, the focus of the
present study, is one of the most fertile areas in Uganda, with high per capita output of
most foods. However, earlier studies in Kabarole District found that over 40% of
children below five years of age were stunted. The objective of this study was,
therefore, to asses the prevalence of malnutrition and the factors influencing the
nutritional status of children below five years of age, in a peri-urban environment in
Kabarole District, western Uganda. The study design was a cross sectional descriptive
survey, using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. A
questionnaire was administered to 93 caretakers of children 6-59 months in randomly
selected households, which explored the various factors that could be affecting the
nutritional status of the children. Key information was also sought from a focus group
discussion of a few selected mothers. Results revealed that stunting was highly
prevalent with 41.6% of the children stunted. Under-weight and wasting were
established at 15.7% and 3.4%, respectively. Education level of mother/caretaker
(p=0.02), age of child (p=0.03), receipt of information on child feeding (p=0.009),
illness (p=0.004) and time of introduction of other foods (p=0031) were significantly
related to child stunting. On the other hand, household size, number of meals per day
and awareness about the causes of malnutrition, were non significantly associated
with child stunting. These findings indicate that malnutrition, especially stunting, in
this cohort of children in peri-urban areas of Kabalore District, is a big problem. Poor
education levels of the mothers/caretakers and poor child feeding practices are some
of the factors identified as major contributors to this problem. It is therefore
recommended that appropriate nutrition interventions, particularly equipping
mothers/caretakers with knowledge and skills in child feeding, child health, sanitation
and other best practices for proper childcare, be put in place to address the problem of
childhood malnutrition in Kabarole District and other areas in Uganda, and indeed in
Sub-Saharan Africa, with similar settings.
Keywords
Childhood Malnutrition, Kabarole District, Uganda
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