Analysis of factors contributing to child malnutrition: a case study of Adola Parish in Lira District

Abstract

Child malnutrition is an underlying cause of almost half (45%) of child deaths, particularly in low socioeconomic communities of developing countries like Uganda. To understand the factors contributing to malnutrition among children, a study was conducted in Adola parish to understand the factors contributing to malnutrition in Adola parish. The source of data was household demographic and socio-economic characteristics which included anthropometric data on children in Adola parish. Data analysis was done in Epi Info programme-Nutrition module and Stata statistical soft wares (STATA). Multivariate analysis was done by fitting a binary logistic regression model to establish the underlying factors contributing to malnutrition among children. Results showed that more than half of the children in the study were females (51%) and majority were aged 37-59 months (54.8%) and followed by those aged 13-36 months (42.3%) respectively. Half of the children (50%) were of birth order 1-2 with a few in the birth order of 3-4 (25%) and 5+ order (25%) respectively. Most of the children were of birth intervals equal or less than two years (44.2%). There was also quite a large number of children born in the birth interval of 3-4 years (41.3%). It was revealed that age of the child had a significant association with the child being under weight (chi=9.449, p0.04). It was found out that Children aged 39-59 months were less likely to be underweight than those aged less than twelve months (OR=4.14). Findings also revealed that stunting was more prevalent among children of peasant farmers (20) than the pastoralists (1). There was however no significant relationship between child wasting and selected child characteristics. In conclusion, it is worthy to note that the study is essential in pointing out the particular age-groups among children as well as the occupations that contribute to malnutrition in of Adola parish. Based on the findings, the study recommends exclusive breast feeding and proper complementary feeding especially among those aged less than three years. Special arrangement could also be put in place to have children of mothers engaged in cultivation brought regularly for breastfeeding.