The prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Bushenyi District
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Date
2016-09
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Kampala International University, School of Law
Abstract
Bushenyi has persistently registered highest levels of childhood malnutrition in the whole of
Uganda despite being referred to as "the food basket" of the country. Malnutrition is a major
public health problem of developmental concern with both health and socio-economic
consequences. High prevalence is in developing countries which contribute up to 50% of the
world's under-five mortality.
This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among
children aged 6-59 months in Bushenyi district.
This was a community house survey that was carried out to collect information on nutritional
status of children and associated risk factors in Bushenyi district. This was a cross-sectional
study that used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Multistage
random sampling and stratified sampling were used to select study areas and households with
children 6-59 months, respectively. Stunting, wasting and underweight levels were
determined using anthropometric measurements ofH/A,W/H and WIA respectively using the
US NHCS Reference Standards, The study enrolled 274 study participants aged 6 -59 months
identified by probability and non-probability sampling methods between July to December
2015. Data was analysed in SPSS using descriptive and linear regression analysis.
Results showed that 150 out of the 274 studied children had malnutrition with prevalence of
(54.7%), mild malnutrition was 104 (69.3%), moderate malnutrition was 35 (23.3%), severe
malnutrition was 11 (7.3 %). Stunting levels were high amongst girls at 62% as compared to
the 38% of the boys who were stunted. Malnutrition was associated with some factors like
family size of more than three people, parental/care takers education level of non formal with
the analysis showing that an increase in mother's education level decreased the rate of
malnutrition among children.
This study concluded that there is high prevalence of malnutrition in Bushenyi district with
high rates of stunting and underweight among boys than girls. This study showed that factors
associated with malnutrition in Bushenyi district include family size, level of education,
weaning of children, the socio-economic status in families and behavioural factors.
The study recommended community nutritional interventions to address the root causes of
malnutrition within Bushenyi .Further research is therefore needed to confirm and/or obtain
explanation regarding high prevalence of malnutrition.
Description
a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the a ward of Master of public health of Kampala International University
Keywords
Malnutrition, Children aged 6-59 months, Bushenyi District, Uganda