| dc.description.abstract | Context: Due to the existence of variations and complexity of determinants of maternal
malnutrition across the globe (Black et al, 2013; Newcombe el al, 2015), research need not to only
concentrate on magnitude of this problem but also immensely consider the factors that influence
it. Since what is works in one region may not necessarily be significant in another. More so, Black
et al (2008) highlighted that the nutritional status of an individual is a complex interaction of
several factors while Ruel et al (2013) insinuated that scaling up of nutrition requires addressing
its underlying factors. Today in Uganda, evidence shows that it is still difficult to determine region
specific causes of maternal malnutrition (FANTA II, 2010). This study assessed the factors
influencing the state of maternal nutrition in Jinja district in order to increase understanding of the
context in which maternal malnutrition occurs and be able to guide development of intervention
plans. Specifically, the study determined the proportion of pregnant and lactating mothers with
good nutritional status; described their feeding habits and then assessed the geo-economic and
socio-cultural factors influencing the state of maternal nutrition in Jinja district.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study using mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) was
utilized to collect data from a sample size of 124 participants. The study applied a multi-stage
study design; stratified random sampling method to select 10 government health facilities out of
15 offering antennal and postnatal services in Jinja district; census method to sample participants
who passed the selection criteria at every individual health facility and purposive random sampling
method to choose in-charges from antenatal or postnatal clinics to respond in-depth interviews.
The nutritional statuses of mothers were assessed using anthropometry (MUAC), clinical
(presence of night blindness) and biochemical analysis (Hb level) obtained from the current
medical records of the sampled mothers whereas their feeding habits were assessed by using both
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Women’s Dietary Diversity Scores (WDDS) followed by Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ).
Interviews documenting geo-economic and socio-cultural factors influencing the state of maternal
nutrition in Jinja district were also examined. Data was analyzed using SPSS windows version
20.0. Descriptive statistics were then performed into frequency tables, charts and graphs while a
multivariate analysis was computed using Multiple Linear Regression Model to determine the
associations between: nutritional status and socio-demographic; geo-economic and socio-cultural
factors.
FINDINGS: The results indicated that there was a poor state of maternal nutrition in Jinja district
with 25% of pregnant women wasted, 49.2% of them anemic while 15.3 % had VAD compared to
30.2% wasting, 27.8% anemic and 12.8% with VAD among the lactating mothers. This was
explained by poor feeding habits of participants caused high consumption of starchy staples
(97.3%) coupled with low consumption of micronutrient rich foods especially of iron (36%) and
vitamin A (65%). However, the Multiple Linear Regression model analysis showed nutritional
status of participants to greatly depend location (urban or rural), marital status and sex of household
head with significant P values (0.028, 0.001 and 0.009 respectively) while geo-economic factors
like annual income of participants, main use of food crops grown in their households and
geographical distribution of foods (lack of food in the area but plenty in other areas) significantly
determined low consumption of micronutrient rich foods (Vitamin A) whereas reduction on
household workload during pregnancy or lactation was revealed to be the only significant socio cultural factor influencing the low consumption of micronutrient rich foods (Vitamin A rich
foods).
CONCLUSION: Geo-economic factors such as annual income of participants, geographical
distribution of foods and main use of food crops grown; Socio-cultural factor of workload
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reduction during pregnancy and lactation as well as Socio-demographic characteristics of location,
sex of household head and marital status of participants were specifically responsible for the poor
state of maternal nutrition in Jinja district. | en_US |
