Nutrition Assessment and Factors Influencing Malnutrition among Children under Five in Adjumani District Uganda

Abstract

Globally and specifically within the sub-Saharan African region, the nutritional status of children under five has remain a public health concern. Deficiency in nutrients has been documented as a cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five in most developing countries. The study was conducted to determine factors influencing malnutrition among children under five in Adjumani district in Uganda. The study design adopted was a descriptive and cross-sectional type. Three hundred children aged under five years together with either their mothers or adult care givers          were selected. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was completed by 200 mothers/caregivers. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements while focus group discussions with medical personnel and direct observation were also conducted. The result depicts that Wasting was significantly associated with sex of the children with females more likely to be wasted than males (p=0.023). Age of the studied children was found to be significantly associated with mid upper arm circumference (p<0.001). Also education level of mothers/care givers was significantly associated with malnutrition of children under five. (P value 0.013). Stunting and underweight were identified as the main nutrition problems in Adjumani District. Poor weaning practices, poor sanitation due to inadequate hand washing and poor maintenance of latrine as well as low income for house hold due to few loan/ credit facilities were identified as factors influencing malnutrition. The study therefore recommends that nutrition survey for children under five should be done regularly at community level. Sanitation can be improved by availing hand washing facility for each latrine. Female education be encouraged while agriculture to should be modernized in order to boost household income and improve food security.