Determinants of stunted growth among under-five children in Uganda
Abstract
Stunting is one of the major challenges among under-five children in Sub Saharan Africa. A
study was carried out to understand the determinants of stunted growth among children below
the age of five years in Uganda.
The specific objectives for the study included;
1. To examine the child factors that influence stunting of children under-five in Uganda.
2. To examine the maternal factors that influence stunting of children under-five in Uganda.
3. To examine the economic factors that influence stunting of children under-five in
Uganda.
In order to carry out the study, secondary data was used. UDHS 2011 dataset was used, obtained
from DHS Program website with permission from the personnel in charge of the data. Data
analysis was done in Stata statistical software. Univariate analysis was carried out in order to
fully understand the disruption of the data under study which was followed up by Bivariate
analysis to establish the association between stunting and factors determining stunting among
under-five children in Uganda. Multivariate analysis was done by fitting a binary logistic
regression model to establish the underlying determinants of stunted growth among under-five
children.
It was found out that child’s age, type of place of residence, region, mother’s highest level of
education and wealth quintile had a significant association with stunting among under-five
children in Uganda. Stunting was more prevalent among children in rural areas than urban areas
and more prevalent among children of mothers with low levels of education. There was however
no significant relationship between child stunting and sex of child.
In conclusion, it is worthy to note that the study is essential in pointing out the particular age-groups among under-five children as well as the occupations that contribute to stunting in
Uganda. In accordance to the findings, the study recommends putting in place policy measures
and actions that aim at improving the number of women who attain education in the country and
that these women be extensively sensitized on stunting and its impact on children below the age
of five years.