Nutritional status, feeding practices and state of other related indicators at onset of  a multi-model community nutrition intervention program in Mpigi District, Uganda.

Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye1, Florence Basiimwa Tushemerirwe, Richard Kajjura, Victoria Nabunya3, Ronald Andrew Naitala, Cissie Namanda
1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere University School of Public Health
2. Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health
3. World Vision Uganda
4. Global Research Consult Ltd

Abstract
Introduction:In Uganda, malnutrition level has persistently remained high among the under-fives and this has led NGOs like  World Vision, Uganda into finding innovative ways for intervention. This paper presents an assessment of nutrition status and  values of related indicators at onset of a community intervention program in four sub-counties of Mpigi district in Central  Uganda.

Methods:This was a cross-sectional study to provide baseline information for a nutrition intervention. The study units were  index children aged 6-59 months from 818 households. Face to face interviews were conducted using semi-structured questionnaires. Values of key indicators were computed and compared between designated control and intervention areas.

Results: Stunting level was 32% while wasting was 3% and underweight at 10%. Most of the index children (78%) started  breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. Nearly a third of the households visited had a kitchen garden and this did not differ  by intervention status.

Conclusion: Like at regional level, nutrition status and feeding practices in the study area were poor. The values of these indicators did not significantly change by designated intervention status. Much effort was needed to realize a difference in nutrition  and feeding practices in designated intervention areas.

Keywords: Local institution, nutrition, feeding practices, community participation, interventions, malnutrition, morbidity, control, baseline, World Vision Uganda.