Publications

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the factors associated with malnutrition amongchildren under five years attending Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH). Conducted oversix months, anthropometric measurements and caregiver interviews were collected from 204children aged 3 to 59 months. Z-scores for height-for-age (H/A) and weight-for-height (W/H)indices were employed for analysis, supplemented by qualitative insights from two focusgroup discussions. Statistical analysis using Epi Data version 3.1, EPI-INFO version 7.0, andSPSS version 25.0 unveiled striking figures: global stunting due to chronic malnutrition stoodat 55.4%, with severe stunting reaching 25.8%. Age groups 6-12 months and 13-24 monthsexhibited higher prevalence of acute malnutrition. Malaria and male gender emerged assignificant predictors of acute and chronic malnutrition, respectively. Logistic regressionhighlighted the age group 3-24 months as a significant risk factor for acute malnutrition,while recent deworming served as a protective factor. This study underscores the alarmingprevalence of childhood malnutrition at SRRH, delineating crucial predictors and age-relatedvulnerabilities demanding targeted interventions.Keywords: Acute malnutrition, Children under five years, Stunting, Chronic malnutrition,Malaria.