Determinants of malnutrition among under-five children in Nakaseke And Nakasongola Districts, Uganda

Abstract

Malnutrition is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among under-five children in Sub Saharan Africa. To understand the determinants of malnutrition among under-five children, a study was conducted in Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts of Uganda to understand the determinants in these districts. The source of data was household demographic and socio-economic characteristics which included anthropometric data on underfive children in Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts. The data was obtained from Africa Innovations Institute that conducted a study on the adaptation to the impact of climatic variability on food and health security in the two districts. Anthropometric data included height, weight and age of the children. Data analysis was done in Epi Info programme-Nutrition module and Stata statistical softwares. Multivariate analysis was done by fitting a binary logistic regression model to establish the underlying determinants of malnutrition among under-five children. It was found out that Children aged 39-59 months were less likely to be underweight than those aged less than twelve months. Findings also revealed that stunting was more prevalent among children of peasant farmers than the pastoralists. There was however no significant relationship between child wasting and selected child characteristics. In conclusion, it is worthy to note that the study is essential in pointing out the particular age-groups among underfive children as well as the occupations that contribute to malnutrition in the districts of Nakaseke and Nakasongola. Based on the findings, the study recommends exclusive breast feeding and proper complementary feeding especially among those aged less than three years. Special arrangement could also be put in place to have children of mothers engaged in cultivation brought regularly for breastfeeding.