Prevalence of early childhood malnutrition and influencing factors in peri urban areas of Kabarole district, western Uganda

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.

Factors associated with stunting among children of age 24 to 59 months in Meskan district, Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia: a case-control study

“…This is in line with studies conducted in Northeastern Brazil, South Africa and Ethiopia [13, 17, 18]. But which is inconsistent with study conducted in Uganda [30]. …”

The clinical and anthropometric profile of undernourished children aged under 5 admitted to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in Botswana

“…The sociodemographic background reflects that of undernourished children reported from Botswana 7 and other developing countries in that the majority of caregivers were single mothers (78%) 7,11 from lowincome households (96%), 12-14 large families (>5 members) (73%) 12,14 and rural areas (71%). 15 In contrast to studies by Chakraborty et al, 16 Turyashemererwa et al 17 and Janevic et al, 13 which reported an association between poor educational background of the caregiver and child undernutrition, most caregivers (65.3%) in our study had attained a higher level of education (secondary/tertiary education). At a population level, the South African National Food Consumption Survey 18 found that nationally the prevalence of undernutrition decreased significantly with increasing maternal education levels.…”

Magnitude of Stunting and Associated Factors Among 6-59 Months Old Children in Hossana Town, Southern Ethiopia

“…The magnitude of stunting in this study was higher than study conducted in Peru 26.6% [14], Brazil 29.9% [15], Sirlanka 11.8% [16], South Africa 20.2% [17] and Egypt 13.8% [18] and the national prevalence in EDHS 2006, 29.8% [10] and EDHS done in 2011, 32% [9]. However, the prevalence of stunting in the study was lower than study conducted in, Nepal 37% [19], India 51.6% [20], Lao PDR 40% [21], Cambodia 38.6% [22] also the study conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo 43.9% [23] ,Uganda 41.6% [24], Tanzania 44% [25], Kenya 40% [26], Sudan Khartoum 51% [27] and Ethiopia 42% [28]. This difference might be due to population migration from rural to urban in order to get better job and living condition, decreased purchasing power of the community, increment of food prices, inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices and child health care.…”