RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Despite of the global efforts undertaken to improve nutrition, malnutrition still continues to be a serious public health concern. Malnutrition in its various forms has been closely associated to major causes of illness, disability and death. Malnutrition in the form of childhood stunting has therefore been identified as a significant hindrance to human development. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months and determine factors associated with a high prevalence of stunting (48%) among children in Kabale district. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was conducted among 640 children, aged 6-59 months selected using both simple random and systematic random sampling techniques. Interview administered questionnaires were used to collect household data whereas anthropometric data was collected using height boards, digital weighing scales and Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Tapes. Nutrition status data was analyzed using ENA for SMART, 2011 and then exported to STATA version 12.0 for further analysis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of stunting among children 6-59 months was 41.1%. Factors independently associated with stunting included; age of the child (children in the age category of 36-47 months APOR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.18-0.79 and those in the age category of 24-35 months APOR = 0.42; 95% CI 0.19-0.88), major source of food for the household that is children from households in which mothers indicated market as the major source of food (APOR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.48-0.94) and disposal of child stool that is children whose stool was put/ rinsed in a latrine (APOR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.23-0.74) as well as those that whose stool was thrown in garbage (APOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12-0.72). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of stunting among children aged 6-59 months in Kabale district was high. Practices/ factors independently associated with stunting among children aged 6-59 months included; age of the child, major source of food for the household and disposal of child stool. Addressing these factors requires a proper mix of both community and health based interventions. There is also need to strengthen on strategies for reducing stunting like; sanitation and hygiene as well as food and nutrition security within rural households.
RESUMEN
Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is an important occupational health risk among primary healthcare providers (PHCPs). However, there is limited evidence on whether PHCPs' level of knowledge and attitude can predict better HBV infection prevention practices. This study established the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and HBV infection prevention practices among PHCPs in Wakiso district, Central Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected from 306 PHCPs, using a structured questionnaire. PHCPs were randomly selected from 55 healthcare facilities. STATA version 14.0 was used to analyse data. A 'modified Poisson' regression model was used for inferential statistics. Results: About 42.2% of PHCPs exhibited poor knowledge of HBV infection transmission and prevention, 41.8% had a negative attitude, and 41.5% exhibited poor prevention practices. Age (PR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.24-2.66) was positively associated with the level of knowledge. Healthcare facility level (PR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34-0.84), main department of work (PR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51-0.95), years in service (PR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44-0.99), working in private not-for-profit healthcare facilities (PR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34-0.99), and public healthcare facilities (PR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.42-0.80) were negatively associated with the level of knowledge. There was a negative association between the location of healthcare facility (PR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.62-0.93) and attitude, and a positive association between level of knowledge (PR 1.36, 95% 1.12-1.65) and attitude. Working in a public healthcare facility (PR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.64-0.99) was negatively associated with practices while having a positive attitude (PR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.28-1.99) predicted better HBV infection prevention practices. Conclusion: PHCPs who were more knowledgeable about HBV infection were more likely to have a positive attitude. In turn, having a positive attitude was associated with better HBV infection prevention practices. There is a need to sensitise PHCPs on HBV infection, and provision of screening and vaccination services in order to address the KAP gaps.