Research consultancy
ABSTRACT
The cases of malnutrition are high that is about 55~70% of pregnant mothers are suffering from malnutrition. The purpose of the study was to establish the factors that contributing to malnutrition among pregnant women so that to come up with solutions to improve their diet. The study was guided by three objectives which were to assess the personal, social-economic, cultural factors that contribute to malnutrition among pregnant.
The study design was cross sectional and descriptive employing both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select 30 respondents who were interviewed using an interview guide.
The results indicated that majority of respondents 16/30 (53.3%) agreed that personal factors contribute to malnutrition and 10/30 (33.3%) said they didn’t know the benefits of good nutrition. It further indicated that socio-economic factors contributed to malnutrition where majority 20/30 (63.3 %) said that they were unemployed which resulted in low expenditure on food, 24/30 (80%) of the respondents said that they spend less than 200,000 on food monthly. Cultural factors also affect nutritional status, since majority 27 (90%) said that they had food taboos against women and 29/30 (96.7%) said that there is inequality between men and women in regards to food distribution.
In conclusion, personal factors, socio-economic factors and cultural factors all contributed to malnutrition among pregnant women in Butansi therefore the study recommended that women should be sensitized on benefits of nutritious foods and encouraged to treat complications of pregnancy by a health worker and community support groups should increase their efforts in helping women get a balanced diet.
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ANC: Antenatal Care
BMI: Body Mass Index
DHO: District Health Officer
HAART: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
HIV: Human Immune Virus
IFA: Ion Folic Acid
LBW: Low BirthWeight
LLIN: Long Lasting Insecticide Nets
OPD: Out Patient Department
PEM: Protein Energy Malnutrition
PHNC: Public health Nurses College
PNC: Post Natal Care
RDA Recommended daily allowances
SSA: Sub Saharan Africa
STIs: Sexually Transmitted Infections
UDHS: Uganda Demographic Health Survey
UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
UNIMEB: Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examination Board
WHO: World Health Organization
TT: Tetanus Toxoid
OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS
Malnutrition: lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to
eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.
Pregnant woman: refers to a female individual carrying one or more off
springs in her uterine cavity.
Socio-economic factors: It refers to the combination of external socio-economic
conditions that influence the operation and performance
of an individual.
Cultural factors: refers to a set of beliefs, moral values, traditions,
language, and laws held in common by a nation, a
community, or other defined group of people.
Personal factors: refers to ones’ Perceptions, Influences and Their.
Relationship with Adherence
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the introduction, background, problem statement, purpose of the study, specific objective, research questions and justification for the study.
1.1 Background
Malnutrition is a condition which occurs when there is a deficiency of certain vital nutrients in a person’s diet. The deficiency fails to meet the demands of the body leading to effects on the growth, physical health, mood, behavior and other functions of the body. (Tsiaousi, E. et al, 2008).
Tsiaousi, E. et al, (2008) further adds that malnutrition also entails conditions where diet does not contain the right balance of nutrients. This might mean a diet high on calories but deficient in vitamins and minerals. These second group of individuals may be overweight or obese but are still considered malnourished. Thus being malnourished does not always mean that the person is underweight or thin.
Eliminating hunger and malnutrition is one of the most fundamental challenges facing humanity in the whole world (Lomborg 2014). Malnutrition and its associated disease conditions can be caused by eating too little, eating too much, or eating an unbalanced diet that lacks necessary nutrients.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the oppression of women socially and culturally means they have less access to everything, including food, resources, health care, community support and information. The problems arise from cultural, political and economic realities that must be addressed in tandem. However, one significant step should be taken to educate and to make them aware of how to feed properly especially during pregnancy. Malnutrition among pregnant women has long been recognized as a serious problem in sub-Saharan Africa (Barnett, J. (2016).
According to Quist, M. A et al, (2017), in their study on nutrition in Uganda, revealed that pregnant women in Uganda clearly goes against prevailing cultures and gender norms in many places in the country for example some cultures prohibit women from eating eggs or chicken. Good nutrition among pregnant women is not respected by most traditional men in some cultures who think they are the ones who work and get food for the family so they should feed better than their wives even pregnant ones.
According to Byamugisha, et al. (2010), there are different factors which have been identified in other studies as barriers to good nutrition among pregnant women in the Uganda and they include: Health-facility factors, Cultural factors and Socio-Economic factors. The failure to sensitize pregnant women about their nutrition discipline, maternal health promotion, and prevention and care programs by policy makers, program planners and implementers of maternal health services has had a serious impact on the nutritional status of pregnant women (Rout, S. 2016).
Yet the huge majority of African women are still unaware of how to feed themselves during pregnancy and as a result, they continue to suffer from malnutrition which threatens their health and even that of the unborn child. Therefore the researcher intended to find out the factors contributing to malnutrition among pregnant women in Butansi health center III Kamuli District.
1.2 Statement of the problem
According to Doyle, S. (2016), in his study, the recent increase in number of pregnant mothers suffering from malnutrition is a giving a concern to those in Uganda medical industry, women leaders, health care services and others.
The case of malnutrition is so high that about 55~70% of pregnant mothers are suffering from malnutrition (Opara, J. et al, 2011). This is as a result of the fact that in Uganda, it is difficult to afford three square meals a day, take varieties of food for most pregnant women and some do not know the nutritional content of food that they eat every day. The Prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant women was 53% year 2008 according to (Lancet Series, 2008).
Apparently there is no data about the prevalence to malnutrition among pregnant women in Kamuli District especially Butansi sub county therefore, While Uganda has made great strides in reducing poverty, the rates of malnutrition in children and mothers are still unacceptably high, compromising their health and survival due to the low and declining rate of proper nutrition among pregnant women. Therefore it’s against this background the researcher got interest to establish the factors that contribute to malnutrition among pregnant women in Butansi health center III Kamuli District.
1.3 Purpose of the study
The purpose of the study was to establish the factors contributing to malnutrition among pregnant women in Butansi health center III Kamuli District so that to come up with solutions to improve nutrition among pregnant women.
1.4 Specific Objectives
- To assess the personal factors that contribute to malnutrition among pregnant women attending Butansi health center III County Kamuli District.
- To identify the social-economic factors contributing to malnutrition among pregnant women attending Butansi health center III kamuli district
- To assess the cultural factors that contribute to malnutrition among pregnant women attending Butansi health center III Kamuli District
- What personal factors contribute to malnutrition among pregnant women attending Butansi health center III Kamuli District?
- What are the social-economic factors that contribute to malnutrition among pregnant women attending Butansi health center III Kamuli District?
- What cultural factors contribute to malnutrition among pregnant women attending Butansi health center III Kamuli District?
1.6 Justification of the study
The findings of the study would be useful in the following ways;
Fast and fore most the study would aid the ministry of health through the administration Health Centre III in Butansi Sub County in understanding the factors that contribute to malnutrition among pregnant women in Uganda and design the policies that can improve their nutritional status. This will be ensured by disseminating a copy of the research report to Butansi health center III
It would further be used to provide baseline information for further researches who would wish to carry out research on malnutrition. This is would be ensured by submitting a copy of this research to the library of PHNC.
It would also benefit the community of Butasi Sub County LC1 Kamuli District through improving knowledge among pregnant women so as they realize the importance of having a proper nutrition. This will be ensured by submitting a copy of the research report to Butansi H/CIII
This study would help the researcher to acquire a diploma in midwifery as it’s a minimum requirement by UNMEB. This will be ensured by submitting a copy of the research report to UNMEB
This research would help pregnant women who attend Butansi Health Center III to improve on their nutrition discipline. This will be possible because they will be able to access the information from the health Centre since a copy will be delivered there.
