Determinants of child mortality in south-west Uganda

Anthropometric and sociodemographic variables were taken from 4320 children in a baseline survey carried out in March-April 1988 in the district of Mbarara; south-west Uganda. After 12 months a follow-up survey assessed the mortality of the children during the preceding year. Lack of ownership of cattle; recent arrival in the village; using candles for lighting; being of birth order higher than 5 and having a father with less than 8 years of schooling were significantly associated with child mortality. The addition of mid-upper arm circumference significantly improved the logistic model of socioeconomic variables and mortality and did not diminish the predictive power of socioeconomic variables in relation to increased mortality. This suggests that nutritional status and specific socioeconomic factors are both; independently; important predictors of child mortality

Determinants of child nutrition and mortality in north-west Uganda

An anthropometric survey of children aged 0-59 months in north-west Uganda in February-March 1987 indicated a high prevalence of stuntingbut little wasting. Use of unprotected water supplies in the dry season; prolonged breast-feeding; and age negatively affected nurtirion; in contrast; parental education level improved nutrition. Mortality during the 12 months following the survey was higher among those who had low weight-for-age was the most sensitive predictor of mortality at specificities; while at lower specifcity levels weight-for-height was the most sensitive. Children whose fathers' work as associated with the distillation of alcohol had a higher risk of mortality than other children. The lowest mortality was among children whos fathers were businessmen or who grew tobacco

The use of fermented and germinated cereals and tubers for improved feeding of infants and children in Uganda

Interviews with mothers in 4 ecologically separate regions of Uganda (Arua; Mukono; Kabale and Mbarara) revealed considerable differences in patterns of infant and child feeding in health and during diarrhoea. There was considerable enthusiasm for the use of fermentation and germination of cereals and tubers in some areas (Arua 87pc and Kabale 90pc). These household food processes were especially recommended for improving dietary intake during diarrhoea. However; these techniques were not used by mothers in Mukono or Mbarara. The advantages of these procedures and possible reasons for differences in their popularity are discussed