Abstract
BackgroundSeveral national reports have indicated poor nutritional status among children from Western Uganda where millet porridge is a predominant complementary food. However, little is known about the nutritional status of 7–36 months old children from millet consuming communities of Western Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Bujenje County of Masindi District. A total of 636 children from 23 villages within Bwijanga and Budongo sub counties were randomly selected. Anthropometric measurements of children were taken. Data on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of children’s households, their dietary practices and morbidity patterns was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and Emergency Nutritional Assessment (ENA) Software Version 2010 were used for analysing data. The relationship between demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of households and children’s nutritional status was determined using Chi-square tests. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between children’s nutritional status and the amount of millet porridge consumed. A p-value of < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.ResultsA proportion of 30.5% children were stunted, 11.6% underweight and 7.4% wasted. Underweight and wasting were significantly high in Budongo sub county at p = 0.044 and p = 0.005 respectively. Stunting and underweight were highest between 12 and 23 months at p = 0.005 and 0.020 respectively. Although millet porridges formed the bulk of children’s meals, they could only cater for < 60% of the recommended daily nutrient intake. Children with diarrhoea were 1.4 and 2 times likely to become stunted and underweight at p = 0.025 and 0.007 respectively. Feeding practices for children with diarrhoea were contrary to World Health Organisation’s recommendations in more than 50% of the studied children. There was a significant association between Height-for-Age Z scores, Weight-for-Height Z scores and the amount of millet porridge consumed by children (r = − 0.20, p < 0.001 and r = 0.14, p < 0.001 respectively).ConclusionsResults showed slightly higher percentages of stunted, underweight and wasted children compared to national figures. This was attributed to high incidences of diarrhoea and inadequate feeding practices especially for children 12–36 months old.
Highlights
Child malnutrition is a public health problem since it is a major contributing factor to mortality, morbidity, intellectual and physical disability among children [1]
There was a significant association between the amount of millet porridge consumed by children per day and children’s Height-for-Age, Weight-for-Height Z scores (r = − 0.20, p < 0.001 and r = 0.14, p < 0.001) respectively
We have previously reported that most mothers kept millet porridges for long periods under unhygienic conditions before feeding the children, such a practice could attract infections [10]
Summary
Child malnutrition is a public health problem since it is a major contributing factor to mortality, morbidity, intellectual and physical disability among children [1]. The first 3 years of life are the most critical in the development of children due to the high nutrient requirements, limited gastric capacity and low immunity during this period [2]. An estimated 165 million, 10 million and 52 million of children below 5 years are stunted, underweight and wasted respectively [4]. About 29% of children less than 5 years in Uganda are stunted, 11% underweight and 4% wasted [5]. Several national reports have indicated poor nutritional status among children from Western Uganda where millet porridge is a predominant complementary food. Little is known about the nutritional status of 7–36 months old children from millet consuming communities of Western Uganda
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