The prevalence and factors associated with wasting and stunting among adolescent girls aged 10-19 years in Kaabong District, Karamoja Sub-Region. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2258Cuvinte cheie:
Adolescent girls, Wasting, Malnutrition, Nutritional status, Stunting, Kaabong District, Karamoja Sub-RegionRezumat
Background.
In the Karamoja sub-region, Uganda, adolescent girls face multiple challenges, including food insecurity, limited access to nutritious diets, and socio-cultural barriers that may predispose them to undernutrition. This study assessed the Prevalence and factors associated with wasting and Stunting among Adolescent Girls Aged 10-19 Years in Kaabong District, Karamoja Sub-Region.
Methodology.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls aged 10-19 years across four town councils in Kaabong. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements (MUAC and BMI-for-age Z scores). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with wasting and stunting.
Results.
The prevalence of wasting was 42.2% and stunting 52.9%, indicating substantial nutritional deficits. Multivariate analysis revealed that adolescents aged 15–19 years were 46% less likely to be wasted (AOR: 0.54, 95% CI: 3.907–12.735, p=0.039) but 2.54 times more likely to be stunted (AOR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.066–7.824, p=0.002). Adolescents consuming three or more meals per day were 67% less likely to be wasted (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 8.899–19.354, p<0.001) and 1.72 times less likely to be stunted (AOR: 1.72, 95% CI: 5.834–15.735, p=0.002). Household size (>5 members) increased the odds of stunting 2.2-fold (AOR: 2.20, 95% CI: 6.451–17.965, p=0.022), while high wealth index reduced the likelihood of wasting by 45% (AOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 2.857–16.347, p=0.046). Illness history and limited access to nutritious diets were additional significant predictors.
Conclusion.
Wasting and stunting are highly prevalent among adolescent girls in Kaabong District, with age, meal frequency, household size, economic status, and recent illness significantly influencing nutritional outcomes.
Recommendations.
Nutrition-specific interventions targeting early adolescents, promotion of dietary diversity, improved access to nutrition services, household food security initiatives, and health education are urgently needed to mitigate undernutrition in this population.
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