NUTRITION STATUS OF CHILDREN IN KASESE DISTRICT AT THE UGANDA-CONGO BORDER

Abstract

Objective: To establish the magnitude and risk factors for malnutrition in Kasese district
at the Uganda-Congo border.
Design: Cross sectional nutrition survey.
Methods: Thirty clusters were selected. The height, weight, and mid upper arm
circumference of at least 31 children per cluster were measured. Data on food frequency,
prevalence of cough, fever and diarrhoea was also collected.
Results: Half of the 932 children (49.8%) were stunted, and 21.9% were severely stunted.
While 17.4% of the children were under weight, 1.29% were wasted and 3.7% had
MUAC <12.5cm. Risk factors for stunting included not consuming milk, fathers’ low
formal education, having no immunisation card, and not breast feeding among 12-23
months old. Risk factors for underweight included fathers’ and mothers’ low education
level, consumption of legumes, and fever or diarrhoea two weeks before the survey.
For wasting the risk factors were consumption of vegetables, legumes or starchy foods.
Those not consuming high-energy or animal foods including milk were likely to be
severely wasted as were those not breast feeding in the 12-23 months age group. Fever
or a diarrhoea episode two weeks preceding the survey and living in a female-headed
household, were also risk factors for severe wasting.
Conclusion: Attention to education, poverty alleviation, appropriate feeding practices,
prevention and treatment of infections might assist in combating malnutrition in this
district.