Statistical assessment of causes of malnutrition in Kigezi region

Abstract

The research was carried out to understand the determinants of malnutrition among under-five children, a statistical assessment was conducted to understand the determinants in Kigezi region. 183 children under the age of five whose anthropometric measures were recorded during the 2016 UDHS was taken as a sample size. The dataset used was the Uganda Demographic Survey and Household (UDHS) 2016 which included anthropometric data on under-five children in various regions of the country Kigezi region inclusive. The data was obtained from Demographic Survey and Household (DHS) website. Anthropometric data included height, weight and age of the children. Data analysis was done using Stata software. Multivariate analysis was done by fitting a binary logistic regression model to establish the underlying determinants of malnutrition among under-five children. Stata and Microsoft excel were used for analysis and it was found that most children under five years suffered stunting (78.08%), 58.8% were underweight and only 26.92% had a low weight for height (were wasted). It was found that, there was a significant relationship between age of child and underweight (p=0.00) for stunting and underweight. There was a significant relationship between age and stunting and wasting with children in the age bracket 13-36 months being more likely to be stunted and/or wasted. In conclusion, results from the analysis confirm that malnutrition affects children in Kigezi Region and that age is the major factor. The study shows that major forms of malnutrition are stunting and underweight since wasting did not show any significant result. The study recommends the need to provide micro nutrients, therapeutic supplementation for the children and fortification and also supplementation for mothers should receive priority in this regard this will help to reduce the problem of underweight and stunting of children.