Abstract
For adolescent mothers in rural Eastern Uganda, nutrition and health may be compromised by many factors. Identifying individual and environmental needs and barriers at local levels is important to inform community-based interventions. This qualitative study used interviews based on constructs from social cognitive theory. 101 adolescent mothers, family members, health-related personnel and community workers in Budondo sub-county (Jinja district), eastern Uganda were interviewed. Young mothers had needs, related to going back to school, home-based small businesses; social needs, care support and belonging to their families, employment, shelter, clothing, personal land and animals, medical care and delivery materials. Barriers to meeting their needs included: lack of skills in income generation and food preparation, harsh treatment, pregnancy and childcare costs, lack of academic qualifications, lack of adequate shelter and land, lack of foods to make complementary feeds for infants, insufficient access to medicines, tailored health care and appropriate communications. Using the social cognitive framework, this study identified myriad needs of young mothers and barriers to improving maternal/child nutrition and health. Adolescent-mother-and-child-friendly environments are needed at local levels while continuing to reduce broader socio-cultural and economic barriers to health equity. Findings may help direct future interventions for improved adolescent maternal/child nutrition and health.
Highlights
In Uganda, it was reported that 25% of adolescent girls (15–19 years) become pregnant, with this being more common in rural (27%) than urban areas (19%) [1]
Uganda and understanding the barriers they face in meeting those needs
The needs and associated barriers faced by young mothers and their infants in achieving adequate nutrition and health were conceptualized as are basic such as food, clothing and shelter but broad aspects of the well-being for both parties
Summary
In Uganda, it was reported that 25% of adolescent girls (15–19 years) become pregnant, with this being more common in rural (27%) than urban areas (19%) [1]. In the Busoga region of Eastern Uganda, 21% of the adolescents aged 15–19 years have begun child bearing [1] placing them at risk of poor nutrition and health [2] and making it a significant public health concern. This study had a goal of understanding community stakeholder perceptions of the needs of teenage mothers in rural Eastern. Uganda and understanding the barriers they face in meeting those needs. In this case, the needs and associated barriers faced by young mothers and their infants in achieving adequate nutrition and health were conceptualized as are basic such as food, clothing and shelter but broad aspects of the well-being for both parties. Public Health 2018, 15, 2776; doi:10.3390/ijerph15122776 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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