The Malnutrition conditions at reception in Mwanamugimu Nutrition unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The main purpose of the study was to identify the different malnutrition conditions reported at MNU in Mulago National Referral Hospital and was guided by the following research objectives: To find out the malnutrition conditions at reception in MNU,their causes and interventions to reduce the occurrence and incidences of these conditions. The study adopted a cross sectional research design using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods which was obtained using questionnaires and interviews with the caregivers. The source of data was both primary and secondary data. A sample size of 92 files of children and caregivers holding those files were selected using systematic purposive sampling to obtain data relevant to the study. Data was then coded using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and presented in frequency tables and bar graphs. In 92 files of children selected, 62 had non odematous SAM and those with odematous SAM were 30. Still of the 92, 12 had underlying medical complications such as TB, HIV, malaria and 80 did not have any underlying medical complications. Those findings are presented inform of bar graphs. Therefore the findings of the study concluded that different forms of malnutrition are prevalent including wasting, underweight, stunting, SAM odematous and SAM non odematous. The study shows that prevalence of under nutrition among children more especially below 5 years is still high. This is attributed to socio demographic and socio-economic factors on the side of the caregivers and the families from which these children come. The recommendation is that screening of malnutrition should be performed to identify the risk groups with different degree of malnutrition so that proper interventions can be taken in the management by following the WHO regimen. Success rate of outpatient therapeutic feeding programs where RUTF is used should be monitored regularly among other