Causes and preventive measures for undernutrition : among children under five years of age in Uganda

Abstract

The aim of the thesis was to study the reasons that contributed to malnutrition in children under the age of 5 years, thus exploiting the key interventions as implementation of preventive measures for undernutrition.

The study was conducted as descriptive literature review. The data was gathered from electrical data base via National Electronic Library Interface – information portal; Arto, Aleksi, Cinalh, Medic, Pubmed, Linda and EMBCO. Also sources such as Google Scholar books, publications, articles and various governmental internet pages were used to analyse and compare the results to meet the research questions. Keywords were malnutrition, undernutrition, causes, and children under 5 years, Uganda and prevention. The data was analysed by content analysis method.

The literature review showed that proper nutrition is the backbone of good health in child’s development process. The nutritional status of the children under 5 years was dependant on social, economic and behavioural elements. Mother’s nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding among other aspects affected on undernutrition.

Mothers should be encouraged on duration of breastfeeding period. There is a strong correlation to impure water, hygine and sanitation and children’s undernutrition and poor health. The causes of malnutrition were classified as immediate, underlying, and basic causes.