The Determinants of Nutritional Status among young pregnant mothers attending selected public health facilities in Iganga

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Inadequate nutritional status among young expectant mothers in rural settings like Iganga are critical issues for public health which has negative impact on maternal and child health. This study aimed to identify the determinants influencing the nutritional status of young pregnant mothers aged 24 years and below who are attending selected public health facilities in Iganga, Uganda. Methods: This was a decretive cross sectional mixed study. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 273 young pregnant women who were sampled using a simple random sampling method. Qualitative data was collected from health workers, village leaders and a small number of young pregnant women. Principles of saturation were followed for qualitative component. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and thematic analysis was done for the qualitative component. Results: 26.7% of the participants had poor nutrition status. The significant factors at multivariate analysis were practices done when planning to conceive such as fitness (AOR=0.3, 95% CI [0.08-0.83], p=0.023), number of children (AOR=0.7, 95% CI [0.36-1.38], p=0.002), level of education (AOR=0.5, 95% CI [0.23-105], p=0.000), skipping meals (AOR=1.2, 95% CI [0.67-1.98], p=0.004) and use of herbal products due to cultural taboos (AOR=0.7, 95% CI [0.39-1.28], p=0.051). From qualitative data, the identified factors were; relying on certain types of foods due to poverty, inadequate food, eating on certain kind of foods that lack nutrition values, feeling sick to cook and being neglected by their husbands. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of poor nutrition status among young pregnant women. The significant factors included smoking practices, having many children, skipping meals, level of education, use of herbal medicine, poverty and lack of support from husbands. Recommendations: Husbands and family members should provide adequate support to pregnant women such as assistance in provision of funds and house chores when weak.