The Prevalence and Determinants of Stunting among Children 6 - 59 Months of Age in One of the Sub-Counties in the Rwenzori Sub-Region, Western Uganda ()
1. Introduction
Worldwide, malnutrition is responsible for over 35% of deaths among children 6 - 59 months of age [1]. Stunting, a form of chronic malnutrition and severe wasting, a form of acute malnutrition are the major contributors to childhood mortality [1]. More than 90% and 70% of the world’s stunted and wasted children are found in Africa and Asia with a stunting prevalence of 36% in Africa and 27% in Asia [1]. Stunting is the impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, repeated infection and inadequate psychosocial stimulation [1]. Children are defined as stunted if their height-for-age index is more than two Standard Deviations (2 SD) below the WHO child growth standards median [1].
An analysis of African Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) found that stunting was more prevalent in countries in the East and West Africa [2]. The prevalence of stunting was higher in Burundi at 57.7% [2], Tanzania at 35.5% [3] and Uganda at 29% [4]. Although stunting seemed less prevalent in Uganda compared to Burundi and Tanzania, it largely remains a hidden problem due to challenges in its assessment, detection and reporting in communities [5]. There is an observed regional variation of stunting in Uganda that shows stunting as being more prevalent in the Rwenzori sub-region (41%) compared to other sub-regions in Western Uganda [4]. Similarly, findings of earlier studies conducted in Rwenzori sub-region found the prevalence of 43.0%, 44.8% and 49.8% in Kabarole, Bundibugyo and Kasese districts respectively in 2010 [6]. These findings are similar to those of previously conducted Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys (UDHS) that found the prevalence rates of 42.8% in 1995, 40% in 2002, and 49.6% in 2006 in the Rwenzori sub-region [4] and as well as similar to the findings of studies conducted in other East African countries [7] [8]. A study that was conducted in central region of Tanzania and another national cross sectional study conducted in Burundi found that, about a half (49.7%) and slightly more than half (53%) of children during 6 - 59 months of age were stunted respectively. These studies associated stunting to young age of fathers and mothers of children, small babies for age at birth, being male child, mothers having no formal education, delivering at home, having more than 2 children below five years of age in a household and low wealth status [7] [8]. Earlier studies in western Uganda have associated stunting to low wealth status as well, poor health of caregivers of children, residence located at a longer distance from the health unit and use of contaminated water [6].
Stunting impacts negatively on the cognitive and reproductive functions of both girls and boys [2]; Menarche for stunted girls occurs 1.3 years later, an indication of delay in sexual maturity. Stunted maternal height increases the risk of delivering Low Birth Weight (LBW) babies [2]. Pregnant women who are less than 145 cm in height have an increased risk of developing obstetric complications during childbirth and consequently increasing maternal morbidity and mortality [2]. The intellectual abilities for stunted boys and girls are low contributing to low school performance and poverty through impeding children’s abilities to live productive lives [2]. Economic growth and human development require nonstunted populations who can learn new skills, think critically and contribute to the development of their communities [2]. The Rwenzori Sub-Region in Western Uganda has persistently had highest levels of childhood stunting despite being referred to as “the food basket” of the country [9]. Due to this we sought to establish the prevalence and determinants of stunting among children 6 - 59 months of age in one of the highly food productive rural sub-counties in the Rwenzori sub-region found in Western Uganda.
2. Methods
2.1. Study Area, Population and Design
This study employed a cross sectional descriptive study design. It was carried out from May 26th to June 26th, 2018 in one rural sub-county in the Rwenzori sub-region found in Western Uganda. It was carried out among mothers and their children 6 - 59 months of age who were present at the household during data collection and had consented to participate. The study area had a total population of 10,617 people, about 1177 of whom are children 6 - 59 months of age [4]. The participants live along the foot hills of the Rwenzori ranges where variety of food crops are grown and animals are reared. Small scale businesses at the trading centres are one of the key income generating activities.
2.2. Sample Size Determination and Participant Selection
The sample size of this study was determined using the Leslie Kish survey sampling formula [10]. Z (the value from standard normal distribution) corresponding to desired confidence level of 95%, was 1.96, p (proportion of children 6 - 59 months of age who are stunted in the Rwenzori sub-region), estimated at 41% (0.41) [4], e (the desired level of precision), was set at 5% (0.05) to arrive at N (the actual sample size) of 372 respondents.
Prior to data collection, a household survey was conducted by Village Health Teams (VHTs) to register households with children 6 - 59 months of age in the entire sub-county. A total of 1136 children were found in 865 households and were registered as eligible, and were given numbers. We used systematic sampling and sampling interval of 3 to select children 6 - 59 months of age and their mothers. We moved to each registered household with eligible child and interviewed a child’s mother or legal caregiver. When the child and the mother in a household declined to participate in the study, we moved to the next eligible household.
2.3. Data Collection
Data was collected using a questionnaire. To determine prevalence of stunting, data on child’s height or length was obtained by measuring height or length using a height board. Length was measured for children young than 24 months while lying on a height board. Height was measured for older children when the child was standing. Questions on socio-demographic characteristics, diet, food security, hygiene and child determinants of stunting were asked. A Household was categorized as hygienic if the compound was clean, possessed a latrine and waste disposal pit. Child’s de-worming status was confirmed from the child’s health card, distances to the water source and nearby health facility were estimated by walking to respective destinations with a family member, a water source was categorized as safe if it was piped water, rain water, protected wells, bore halls and springs. Unprotected sources such as rivers and wells were considered unsafe.
2.4. Data Analysis
Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Participant demographic characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. The height for age index for every child 6 - 59 months of age was expressed as Standard Deviation (SD) unit or Z-score. A Child whose height for age Z-index (Z-score) was below −2 SD was categorized as stunted. We used multivariable logistic regression to establish determinants of stunting. Statistical significance was determined at p ≤ 0.05.
2.5. Ethical Considerations and Protection of Study Participants
Approval from a local ethics committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at Uganda Martyrs University was obtained. Written consent was sought from mothers and legal care takers of children assessed for stunting in this study.
3. Results
3.1. Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
In this study, a total of 372 mothers were interviewed and 372 children 6 - 59 months of age were assessed for stunting. Majority of the children 307 (83.0%) were less than 2 years old. Most 297 (79.8%) of the households had hygienic environments, with 319 (85.8%) possessing a latrine. Most 216 (58.2%) of the households were located more than 5 km∙s away from the nearest health facility and 206 (55.4%) of the households were located more than 1.5 km∙s away from a water source. Most 229 (61.6%) of the households fetched their water for domestic use from unsafe sources. Majority 371 (83.9%) of the households used un-boiled and untreated water for drinking (Table 1).
3.2. Prevalence of Stunting among Children 6 - 59 Months of Age in a Rural Sub-County in the Rwenzori Sub-Region in Western Uganda
Nearly half 167 (44.9%) of children below five years of age were stunted (Figure 1).
![]()
Table 1. Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers and their children 6 - 59 months of age in a rural sub-county in Rwenzori sub-region in Western Uganda.
![]()
Figure 1. Level of stunting among children below five years of age in rural western Uganda.
3.3. Socio-Economic, Dietary and Child Determinants of Stunting in Children 6 - 59 Months of Age in a Rural Sub-County in Rwenzori Sub-Region in Western Uganda
According to Table 2 below, reserving food stock for use in the dry season by the household (aOR = 0.23, CI = 0.08 - 0.62, p = 0.004), deworming children in the household (aOR = 0.32, CI = 0.18 - 0.54, p = 0.001) and the family earning at least 10,000 Ushs (2.7 USD) at the end of the month (aOR = 0.36, CI = 0.22 - 0.58, p = 0.001) were associated with no stunting in children 6 - 59 months of age; Pre-lacteal feeding, type of feeding utensil, child feeding practices, household hygiene and child demographics (birth weight and birth order) did not show any association with stunting (Table 2).
![]()
Table 2. Socio-economic, dietary and child related determinants of stunting in children below 5 years of age in a rural sub-county in Western Uganda.
4. Discussions
In a rural sub-county in the Rwenzori sub-region in Western Uganda, 44.9% of children 6 - 59 months of age are stunted. These findings are similar to those of earlier studies conducted around the region [4] [6]. One wonders why there are constantly high trends of stunting in a region known to be one of the country’s food baskets [9]. It is also hardly thought of that nutritional deficits among children can be a public health concern in such a region. Nutritional deficits if not corrected result in intergenerational malnutrition and affects the cognitive and reproductive functions of children impacting negatively on the quality of future citizens, as well as their economic productivity levels [2].
In this study, we found homesteads that reserve food stock for use in dry seasons less likely to have stunted children. Homesteads without food reserved for dry season were more likely to survive on nutrient deficient foods. Children being a vulnerable group are more likely to be affected compared to older family members. Lack of or inadequate food in a household leads to restricted child growth and development. Availability of nutrient dense foods can be ensured by storing food at home throughout seasons, a practice that is ceasing to exist in many Ugandan households [11] [12] [13]. Similarly homesteads that were earning at least 10,000 Ugandan shillings (2.7 USD) at the end of the month were less likely to have stunted children. Food security in a household is defined by either physical presence of food or money to buy food or both [14]. Wealth status of a household determines whether the family is in position to buy variety of food stuffs to meet nutritional requirements for enhanced child growth and development [14] [15].
In this study, children whose deworming status was up-to-date were less likely to be stunted. Conversely, children who were not fully dewormed were more likely to be stunted. Studies have established the association between stunting and helmintic infestations. Infestations impair the body’s ability to absorb and utilize food nutrients. Deworming decreases or eliminates the population of helminths (worms) in the child’s gastrointestinal tract and this reduces the competition for nutrients, ensures availability of nutrients and facilities appropriate child growth and development [16].
5. Conclusion
We found a high prevalence of stunting among children 6 - 59 months of age. Like other studies, we found that occurrence of stunting in children 6 - 59 months of age is determined by socio-economic, dietary and child factors, especially food insecurity, low household income and failure to deworm children. We recommend enforcing ownership of food granary by households, especially during dry season, support to deworming programs targeting children below five years of age and establishing community based income generating livelihood projects.
Study Limitation
The study relied on responses from mothers and some of these might have been affected by recall bias. We endeavored to clearly articulate the questions to ensure that the mothers responded accurately.
Declarations
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Approval was sought from a local ethics committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Uganda Martyrs University. Written consent was sought from mothers and legal care takers of children assessed for stunting in this study.
Availability of Data and Materials
All data and materials for this study shall be availed whenever requested by editorial team and other users. The data set can be accessed by sending a request to mirembeenos@gmail.com.
Acknowledgements
The authors of this study would like to thank the leadership of Ntoroko District Local Government for allowing this study to be conducted in Ntoroko District, Rwenzori SuB-Region in Western Uganda; we also thank all women and their children who participated in this study.
Authors’ Contribution
EMM and AK conceived the study; EMM & EK collected and analyzed data; EMM and CM wrote the manuscript.
Questions that Were Asked
List of Abbreviations
DHS Demographic and Health Survey
FHS Faculty of Health Sciences
IYCF Infant and Young Child Feeding
LBW Low Birth Weight
SD Standard Deviation
SDHR Support to Skills Development for Human Resources
UDHS Uganda Demographic and Health Survey
UNAP Uganda Nutrition Action Plan
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund
VHT Village Health Teams
WASH Water, Sanitation and Hygiene