Prevalence and factors predisposing to under nutrition among children under five years attending Kampala International University Teaching Hospital in Bushenyi District
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Date
2017-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Allied Health Sciences
Abstract
Introduction
Malnutrition is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity among under- five children in sub-Saharan Africa. Western Uganda has persistently registered highest levels of child malnutrition despite being referred to as” food basket’’ of the country.
Objective
The major objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of under nutrition among children under- five years attending KIU TH Bushenyi district western Uganda
Methods
The study was across sectional descriptive study that used quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was carried out at pediatric ward and pediatric outpatient department of KIU TH.
The study was carried out on children under -five years (3 to 59 months). Nutrition level was determined using anthropometric measurements using the US national center for health statistics (NCHS) reference standards, which was approved for use in developing countries by the WHO. Height for age, weight for age and weight for length were used.
Data was collected using questionnaires in which questions were asked to the care takers and also measurements of weight, length or height were interpreted using z-score. Those children who were below -2 SD were considered to be undernourished. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel.
Discussion
In the study, stunting, wasting and underweight were 47%, 25% and 27% respectively. Almost half (47%) of children in the study were stunted which was comparable to the national prevalence of 47.8% for western Uganda which is unacceptably high. This was also higher than the national prevalence according to (Uganda demographic and health survey, 2016). This may be because the majority of the participants had underlying diseases and diseases are known to cause under nutrition in children due to lack of appetite and diarrhea.
Conclusion
In the study, the prevalence of under nutrition among children under- five years attending KIU TH were 47% stunted, 25% wasted and 27% underweight.
The major determinants to under nutrition among children under five years attending KIU TH Bushenyi district were; age (1-3 years), birth interval of 1 to 2 years, breast feeding for less than 6 months, maternal age of less than 20 years, maternal education level (mothers who did not go to school and those who ended in primary school) and maternal occupation (peasant and business).
Recommendations
Encouraging girl child education, health education about nutrition, exclusive breast feeding and family planning were recommended.
Description
A research report submitted to the School of Allied Health Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Diploma In Clinical Medicine and Community Health Of Kampala International University Western Campus
Keywords
Nutrition, Children, Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, Bushenyi District