Prevalence and associated factors of underweight among children aged 06-59 months living in the slum areas of Mbarara city, Uganda: A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2022Keywords:
Undernutrition, Underweight, Children, SlumsAbstract
Background
Undernutrition among children aged 6-59 months remains a public health concern posing a major challenge in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2.2. Despite considerable efforts to quantify the burden of stunting and wasting, little attention has been paid to underweight. Moreover, children living in slum areas and poor households are significantly affected by underweight. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of underweight and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months living within the slum areas of Mbarara city.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study done within the slum areas of Mbarara city among children aged 6-59 months and their caregivers. Proportionate probability sampling and simple random sampling were used to select 532 households with potential participants within the slum areas. Interviews were done using a researcher-administered questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements of children were taken using a digital weighing scale. Data was analyzed using Stata version 17. Associated factors were determined using a modified Poisson regression model.
Results
The prevalence of underweight was 8.3%.
Child’s age 12-23 months (APR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.2-5.6) and multiple pregnancy (APR=2.7; 95% CI: 1.4-5) were independently associated with underweight. Children aged 12-23 months were 2.6 times more likely to be underweight than those aged 6-11 months. Additionally, children born to multiple pregnancies were 2.7 times more likely to be underweight than those from singleton pregnancies.
Conclusions
Underweight among children living within the slum areas of Mbarara city is still a public health problem, with about 1 in 10 children underweight. Child’s age 12-23 months and multiple pregnancy were the associated factors.
Recommendation
The study recommends health education for child caregivers on optimal child feeding practices, particularly for children aged 12-23 months and those born to multiple pregnancies.
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