Prevalence and Socio-economic Impacts of Malnutrition Among Children in Uganda

Abstract

Malnutrition is one of the common problems that afflict the poor in low- and middle-income countries like Uganda. The rate of decline of malnutrition in the country has been very slow for the last 15 years. This problem is of utmost concern in this era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in which achieving the goals is imperative. The aim of our study was to review literature on the prevalence and socio-economic impacts of malnutrition among children under 5 in Uganda and provide recommendations to address identified gaps. This review assesses available evidences, including journal articles, country reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Funds (UNICEF) reports, and other reports on issues pertaining to malnutrition among children in Uganda. Malnutrition, poverty, and chronic diseases are interconnected in such a way that each of the factors influences the presence and permanence of the other, resulting in a synergistic impact. The prevalence of acute and severe malnutrition among children under 5 is above the World Health Assembly target to reduce and maintain the prevalence under 5% by 2025. There are also limited studies on etiology of anemia as regards its prevalence in Uganda. The study presents a better understanding of the social and economic impact of child malnutrition on the families and the country’s development. The study also strongly suggests that, for Uganda to achieve sustainable development goal 2, financial investments by the government are necessary to address nutrition in the early stages of an individual’s life.

High Prevalence of Stunting in Preschool Children (1-5Years) attending selected Health Centers in a Food Rich Area - Bushenyi District Southwestern Uganda

“…Stunting or low height-for-age (HAZ), is a good indicator of under nutrition and represents a status of chronic nutritional stress in children (Shang et al, 2010). The prevalence of stunting and helminthiasis among children in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa is still high and if Uganda is to achieve the foodrelated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it must urgently invest in improving nutrition and sanitation (Adebisi et al, 2019) Despite all regions of Uganda having unacceptably high levels of childhood under-nutrition over the years, the distribution has not been even. Western region with Bushenyi inclusive having the highest levels of childhood chronic malnutrition especially stunting, yet this is the region with adequate food production which is sometimes referred to as "the food basket" of the country (Kikafunda & Agaba, 2014).…”

Healthcare providers and Caregivers’ perspectives on factors underlying the persistent malnutrition of Children aged 0-59 months in Buhweju district, southwestern Uganda

“…Similarly (18) highlighted the interconnection between malnutrition, poverty, and chronic diseases in Uganda indicating that each of the factors in uences the presence and permanence of the other, resulting in a synergistic impact. Thus to improve the nutrition status in Uganda, there is need to improve the economy which would translate to improved income and standard of living.…”

Underweight, overweight, and tobacco use among adolescents aged 12–15 years: Evidence from 23 low-income and middle-income countries

“…The reasons for such conditions in Pakistan are multidimensional, including congenital abnormalities, maternal undernutrition and early cessation of breastfeeding, gender and income inequality, sanitation related to food preparation, and other sociocultural factors 32 . Underweight and stunting has been extensively documented among children and adolescents aged <16 years in Uganda [33][34][35] . Adolescents aged 12-15 years in Mauritius were found to exhibit the third highest prevalence of underweight, and the sixth highest prevalence of overweight/obesity among all 23 countries.…”