Abstract:
Malnutrition is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children in Sub Saharan Africa.
The prevalence of malnutrition is high in Uganda with 32.5% of the children under-fives
stunted, 29% and 3.5 % wasted. (UN, 2023).
The study aimed; to assess the level of awareness of mothers/ caregivers about the high
prevalence of malnutrition amongst children under five years, to establish the cultural factors
responsible for the high prevalence of malnutrition amongst children under five years and to
determine the social factors leading to high prevalence of malnutrition amongst children under
five years of age.
A facility based cross sectional study was conducted on 40 respondents at Ukusijoni Health
Centre III, Ukusijoni sub county ,Adjumani district. Purposive non-sampling technique was
used to select the sample. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. A
variety of data collected was presented and interpreted in form of tables, charts and graphs.
The results of the study indicated that; 64% of the respondents attended up to primary, 18% up
to secondary, 10% up to tertiary and 8% never attended any academic award. 30% of
respondents were aware about malnutrition in under-fives and 70% were not. 40% of the
respondents prepare food for children separate from that of other family members and 60% did
not. 40% of respondents said that culture had an impact on nutrition status of their children and
60% said had no impact. 50% of the respondents had their income between 5,000-20,000, 30%
between 20,000-40,000 and 12% between 50,000-100,000. 38% of the respondents had access
to enough food whereas 62% did not.
According to the study findings, the prevalence of malnutrition was increasing due to presence
of food taboos, cultural infant feeding practices and beliefs, lack of knowledge on infant food
preparation, low levels of awareness about malnutrition, poverty and famine.
Depending on the findings from the study, the researcher made the recommendations as follows
but not limited to the following; carry out surveillance in the community, treat the cases, health
educating the community members about the good feeding practices and control measures of
malnutrition.
