ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anaemia and associated factors among under-fives and their mothers in a rural area of Western Uganda. DESIGN: A cross-sectional investigation using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Stratified multistage sampling methods were used to select the study sample. A haemoglobinometer was used to assess Hb levels in the blood. SETTING: A rural district in Western Uganda. SUBJECTS: Children aged 6-59 months and their mothers aged 15-49 years. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia among children and their mothers was 26.2 % and 17.9 %, respectively. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.5, P = 0.008) between the Hb levels of the mothers and their children. Place of birth, age of the child, factors related to complementary foods, and formal education and nutrition knowledge of the mother were major factors that were significantly associated (r = 0.05, P = 0.05) with low Hb levels among the children. The most important factors that were associated with low Hb levels of the mothers were their formal education, nutrition knowledge and health status. CONCLUSIONS: Fe-deficiency anaemia was found to be a major problem in this cohort of children and their mothers. Dietary factors and sociodemographic factors were the major factors associated with high levels of anaemia among the children and their mothers. It is therefore recommended that rural mothers should be sensitized on best practices for prevention of anaemia among both women and children.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/epidemiology , Child Nutrition Sciences/education , Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/physiology , Hemoglobins/analysis , Mothers/education , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/blood , Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/prevention & control , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Educational Status , Female , Health Status , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Iron, Dietary/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Mothers/psychology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Uganda , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the nutritional status of the elderly and their functional ability because poor nutritional status in the elderly is associated with poor functional ability. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements, demographic and socioeconomic data, dietary assessment by a food frequency list, and activities of daily life data were collected cross sectionally in 2002. Participants (n = 100) were randomly selected and the response rate was 95.2%. RESULTS: The overall prevalences of undernutrition were 33.3% based on body mass index (<18.5 kg/m(2)) and 52% based on mid-upper arm circumference (<24 cm). There was a large, significant difference between prevalences of malnutrition by sex: 68% of women were undernourished (body mass index < 18.5 kg/m(2)) compared with 32.4% of men. Dietary assessment showed that intake of fish, cereals, vegetables, tubers, and legumes was moderate (three to six times/wk). Evaluation of the ability of elderly people to perform basic activities of daily living showed that 33% of subjects were independent in all activities of daily living, except for mobility and feeding. The relation between body mass index and variables associated with functional ability were significant with regard to mobility, continence, and feeding (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that a large percentage of older men and women are malnourished. This influenced their daily activities, especially mobility and feeding. The elderly need to be incorporated into health programs and policy.
