Assessment of Dietary Intake and Prevalence of Malnutrition in Children Aged 9 - 14 Years in Private Boarding Primary Schools in Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

Abstract A cross sectional study to assess the dietary intake and prevalence of malnutrition in private boarding primary school children aged 9-14 years was carried out in Kampala district. A total of 563 children were selected from 20 schools across the five divisions of Kampala city. Prevalence of malnutrition was; 8.9% severely stunted, 29.7% moderately stunted, 2% were underweight and BMI revealed all children to be normal with 3 children over-nourished. MUAC assessment showed that 92.8% were normal, 6% and 1% were moderately malnourished (MAM). Malnutrition was associated with hygiene practices (O.R=2.50), meal frequency (O.R=0.36) and education level of parents (O.R=1.07). Sanitation and hygiene results were; 75% of the schools used pit latrines and 49% cleaned the toilets 3 times a day. Also, 70% had no facilities for disposal of menstrual waste and 75% had no provision for soap for hand washing after use of the toilet and 75% of the schools had physical education 1 day in week and 25% of these schools conducted P.E for a duration of <1 hour. Macronutrient intake was above the recommended whereas micronutrient intake was below the recommended daily intake (RDI).