Gender and age disparities in adult undernutrition in northern Uganda: high-risk groups not targeted by food aid programmes
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tropical Medicine & International Health
Abstract
To determine the prevalence of adult malnutrition and associated risk factors in a postconflict
area of northern Uganda.
methods A cross-sectional community survey was performed from September 2011 to June 2013.
All registered residents in Gulu Health and Demographic Surveillance System aged 15 years and older
were considered eligible. Trained field assistants collected anthropometric measurements (weight and
height) and administered questionnaires with information on sociodemographic characteristics, food
security, smoking and alcohol. Nutritional status was classified by body mass index.
results In total, 2062 men and 2924 women participated and were included in the analyses. The
prevalence of underweight was 22.3% for men and 16.0% for women, whereas the prevalence of
overweight was 1.5% for men and 7.6% for women. In men, underweight was associated with
younger (15–19 years) and older age (>55 years) (P < 0.001), being divorced/separated [odds ratio
(OR) = 1.91 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–2.99] and smoking (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.67–
2.73). For women, underweight was associated with older age (P < 0.001) and hungry-gap rainy
season (May–July) (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.69). Widowed or divorced/separated women were
not more likely to be underweight. No association was found between education, alcohol
consumption or food security score and underweight.
conclusions Our findings are not in line with the conventional target groups in nutritional
programmes and highlight the importance of continuous health and nutritional assessments of all
population groups that reflect local social determinants and family structures.
Description
Keywords
Post-conflict, Nutritional status, Anthropometry, Gender, Community study
Citation
Schramm, S., Kaducu, F. O., Smedemark, S. A., Ovuga, E., & Sodemann, M. (2016). Gender and age disparities in adult undernutrition in northern Uganda: high‐risk groups not targeted by food aid programmes. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 21(6), 807-817. doi:10.1111/tmi.12708