PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF MALNUTRITION AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN MOROTO DISTRICT, KARAMOJA SUB-REGION, NORTHERN UGANDA
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Date
2026-10-27
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Publisher
Gulu University
Abstract
Background:
Malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health burden among primary school-aged children, leading to both physical and cognitive impairments. Affected children often experience weakened immunity and frequent absenteeism from school, limiting their academic performance and development potential.
Objective:
This study sought to determine the prevalence and associated determinants of malnutrition among primary school pupils in Moroto District, Eastern Uganda.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was employed using a multistage random sampling approach. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and structured questionnaires were administered for data collection. Data was cleaned and entered in Microsoft Excel before analysis using SPSS version 22 and WHO AnthroPlus version 1.0.4. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ characteristics and feeding practices. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between malnutrition and predictor variables, while Poisson regression was used to identify independent predictors, reported as adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Among the 388 primary school children aged 8–17 years included in the study, 58 (15.1%; 95% CI: 11.8–19.0%) were stunted, including 21 (5.5%; 95% CI: 3.6–8.2%) who were severely stunted. Thinness was observed in 64 (16.5%; 95% CI: 13.1–20.5%) children, including 10 (2.6%; 95% CI: 1.4–4.7%) with severe thinness. Overweight and obesity were observed in 20 (5.2%; 95% CI: 3.4–7.8%) and 2 (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.1–1.9%) children, respectively. In multivariable analysis, higher family meal frequency was independently associated with stunting (aPR = 1.325, 95% CI: 1.010–1.739; p = .042). Having a greater number of children under five years in the household was independently associated with thinness (aPR = 1.300, 95% CI: 1.007–1.678; p = .044), while reported reduction in the number of meals was inversely associated with thinness (aPR = 0.435, 95% CI: 0.223–0.849; p = .015).
Conclusion:
Malnutrition remains highly prevalent among school-going children in Moroto District. Age and female gender emerged as significant correlates of stunting and wasting. Targeted, gender-sensitive nutrition interventions and community-based programs are crucial to reduce these alarming rates and enhance child health and educational outcomes.
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Keywords
Malnutrition, Stunting, Thinness, Underweight, School children, Moroto District