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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Published on: February 2, 2017

Factors associated with malnutrition among children in internally displaced person's camps, northern Uganda

Mary Abwola Olwedo1, Edison Mworozi, Hanifa Bachou

  • 1Makerere University Medical School, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kampala, Uganda.

African Health Sciences
|July 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Protein energy malnutrition is prevalent in Uganda's internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps. Male children and those aged 3-24 months face higher risks, highlighting the need for improved nutritional support.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Uganda has a significant population of internally displaced persons (IDPs), with protein energy malnutrition posing a major threat to child health.
  • Displaced populations often face challenges in accessing adequate nutrition, increasing vulnerability among children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in children under five years old.
  • To identify risk factors associated with PEM in children residing in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Omoro county, Gulu district.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted in Omoro county, Gulu district, involving 672 children aged 3-59 months and their caretakers.
  • Anthropometric measurements (height-for-age, weight-for-height) were analyzed using z-scores. Qualitative data were gathered through focus groups, interviews, and observations.
  • Data were captured and analyzed using statistical software (Epi Data, EPI-INFO, SPSS).

Main Results:

  • The study found a high prevalence of stunting (52.4%) and global acute malnutrition (6.0%) among children in IDP camps.
  • Male children were found to be at increased risk of stunting (Adjusted OR 1.57).
  • Children aged 3-24 months were at higher risk of acute malnutrition (Adjusted OR 2.78), while de-worming showed a protective effect (Adjusted OR 0.44).

Conclusions:

  • High rates of protein energy malnutrition, particularly stunting, persist among children in Gulu district's IDP camps.
  • Specific risk factors include male gender for stunting and younger age (3-24 months) for acute malnutrition.
  • Interventions should focus on enhancing food security, infant/child feeding education, and integrated management of childhood illnesses (IMCI) within camp settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
IDPPEMnorthern Ugandaprevalencerisk factors

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