Factors associated with enrolment of children aged 6-23 months into Maternal and Child Health Nutrition program in Dzaipi Sub – County, Adjumani District

Abstract

In West Nile sub-region, the key development and health indicators including nutrition score poorly. The Maternal Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) programme, was introduced in 2014 with the aim of reducing stunting and wasting levels in the sub region. However, the enrolment levels for children aged 6-23 months into the MCHN programme were low (51%) and yet factors associated with poor enrolment into the program were not known. The study determined the individual; health system and programme factors that influenced enrolment of children aged 6-23 months into the MCHN programme in Adjumani district. Mothers with children aged 6-23 months were selected using simple random sampling method. The quantitative data was collected using interviewer administered structured questionnaire, administered to 216 respondents while the qualitative data was collected from 7 key informant respondents using key informant interview guide. The qualitative data was analysed using SPSS version 20. All factors with p<0.05 were considered significant. Qualitative data was was categorized in either “incidental but seemingly important information,” or “interesting and related quotes and comments” to help report the information needed. The study findings indicated that the proportion of children who were enrolled into the programme was 79.8%. Almost half of all respondents had no formal education (52.8%). Bivariate analysis showed that food stock out (p=0.031,95%CI), distance to food distribution point (p=0.020, 95%CI), staff conduct (p=0.000,95%CI), perceived quality of MCH services (p=0.000, 95%CI); marital status (p=0.022,95%CI), child’s age (p=0.000, 95%CI) and cost of access to health facility (p=0.002,95%CI) were significantly associated with enrolment into the programme. The study concludes that there was still low level of enrolment of children aged 6-23 months onto MCHN programme compared to WFP target. There is need to decentralize the programme from district level to village level to increase enrolment and achieve a greater positive impact on nutrition indicators in Adjumani district.