High-Prevalence Stunting in Preschool Children (1-5 Years) Attending Selected Health Centers in a Food Rich Area-Bushenyi District Southwestern Uganda.

Douglas Mugarura,Prossy Mbekeeka,Andrew Ndamira,Hellen Kinyi,Herbert Izo Ninsiima,Sam Tumwesigire,Ejike Daniel Eze,José María Huerta

doi:10.1155/2021/5736864

Douglas Mugarura, Prossy Mbekeeka + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5736864

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Abstract

The prevalence of stunting among children in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa is still high, and if Uganda is to achieve the food-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it must urgently invest in improving nutrition and sanitation. In a food rich area like Bushenyi, chronic undernutrition could be due to several other factors than mere scarcity of food. The Objective(s). This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and socioclinical factors responsible for chronic undernutrition (stunting) among preschool children aged 1–5 years in selected Health facilities in Bushenyi district. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional study assessing the prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among children aged 1–5 years attending selected health centers in Bushenyi District. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire, taking anthropometric measurements (height/length), and stool analysis for eggs of soil-transmitted helminthes. Prevalence of stunting was presented as percentages. Logistic regression with adjusted prevalence ratio was performed to test the association between the sociodemographic and clinical factors and stunting at bivariate levels of analysis. Results. Most of the children were female, with a median age of 2.1 years and resided in semiurban areas of Bushenyi with their parents. Prevalence of stunting was 89.3%. Only 10.7% of the children were infested with soil-transmitted helminthes. Children likely to be stunted were those who drank unboiled water and were exclusively breastfed. Conclusion. There is a high prevalence of chronic malnutrition in Bushenyi district associated with parents'/care takers' low level of knowledge.

Highlights

Under nutrition is an underlying cause of over half of child deaths
In 2010, it was estimated that 171 million preschool aged children were stunted; 95% of whom lived in developing countries [3]
In Uganda, data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey indicate that 3 in 10 children under the age of 5 are stunted [4]. e proportion of stunted children is highest in Western Uganda with a prevalence of 34.9% [5]

Summary

Introduction

Under nutrition is an underlying cause of over half of child deaths. It is associated with lower school enrollment and poor cognitive functioning among children with subsequent effects on performance, and social wellbeing of communities in developing countries like Uganda [1]. Stunting or low height-for-age (HAZ) is a good indicator of undernutrition and represents a status of chronic nutritional stress in children [2]. In 2010, it was estimated that 171 million preschool aged children were stunted; 95% of whom lived in developing countries [3]. In Uganda, data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey indicate that 3 in 10 children under the age of 5 are stunted [4]. In Uganda, data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey indicate that 3 in 10 children under the age of 5 are stunted [4]. e proportion of stunted children is highest in Western Uganda with a prevalence of 34.9% [5]

Methods

Results

Conclusion