AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SOCIO- CULTURAL FACTORS INFLUENCING MALNUTRTION AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS A CASE STUDY OF UKUSIJONI SUB COUNTY, ADJUMANI DISTRICT.

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.