Effect of Male Involvement on the Nutritional Status of Children Less Than 5 Years: A Cross Sectional Study in a Rural Southwestern District of Uganda

Overview

Journal J Nutr Metab

Publisher Wiley

Date 2018 Jan 20

PMID 29348935

Citations 21

Authors

Noel Kansiime

Daniel Atwine

Simpson Nuwamanya

Fred Bagenda

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Undernutrition among children less than 5 years is still a public health concern in most developing countries. Fathers play a critical role in providing support in improving maternal and child health. There is little studied on male involvement and its measurement in child nutrition; therefore, this paper explores the level of male involvement in child feeding and its association with the nutritional status of the children less than 5 years of age.

Methods: A cross sectional study among 346 households, 3 focus group discussions, and 4 key informant interviews were conducted in one rural district in Uganda. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of associated factors were estimated and focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted and summarized into themes.

Results: The study revealed the highest percentage of the males provided money to buy food for the children (93.6%), and only 9.8% have ever accompanied mothers to young child clinics.

Conclusion: In this study, most males were involved in buying food for their children, and providing money for transport to young child clinics was associated with normal nutritional status of children less than 5 years in the study area.

Citing Articles

Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Kasiita M, Businge S, Napyo A, Tumwine J BMC Infect Dis. 2025; 25(1):308.

PMID: 40038583 PMC: 11877679. DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-10697-w.

Caregivers' perceptions of factors influencing undernutrition among under five in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Matee N, Ageru T, Mangi E, Nguyen H, Walugembe F BMC Pediatr. 2024; 24(1):808.

PMID: 39696152 PMC: 11653575. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-05239-3.

Editorial: Feeding difficulties in newborn infants and new approaches in practice.

Anuk Ince D, Takci S, Kilicdag H, Turan O Front Pediatr. 2024; 12:1462493.

PMID: 39301038 PMC: 11410623. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1462493.

Indian fathers are involved in nurturing healthy behaviours in adolescents: A qualitative inquiry.

Rathi N, Kansal S, Worsley A BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):88.

PMID: 38178085 PMC: 10768344. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17634-7.

Effects of the Involvement of Male Counterparts in the Menstrual Hygiene Management of Women and Adolescent Girls With Disabilities in Selected Sub-districts of Bangladesh: Protocol for a Quasi-experimental Study.

Murshid M, Shimpuku Y, Islam M, Rahman M, Chen S Cureus. 2023; 15(10):e47704.

PMID: 38021506 PMC: 10674110. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47704.

References

Tweheyo R, Konde-Lule J, Tumwesigye N, Sekandi J . Male partner attendance of skilled antenatal care in peri-urban Gulu district, Northern Uganda. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2010; 10:53. PMC: 2946269. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-10-53. View

Kabakyenga J, Ostergren P, Turyakira E, Odberg Pettersson K . Influence of birth preparedness, decision-making on location of birth and assistance by skilled birth attendants among women in south-western Uganda. PLoS One. 2012; 7(4):e35747. PMC: 3338788. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035747. View

Mullany B, Hindin M, Becker S . Can women's autonomy impede male involvement in pregnancy health in Katmandu, Nepal?. Soc Sci Med. 2005; 61(9):1993-2006. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.04.006. View

Wells M . Literature review shows that fathers are still not receiving the support they want and need from Swedish child health professionals. Acta Paediatr. 2016; 105(9):1014-23. DOI: 10.1111/apa.13501. View

Dewey K, Begum K . Long-term consequences of stunting in early life. Matern Child Nutr. 2011; 7 Suppl 3:5-18. PMC: 6860846. DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2011.00349.x. View

Hautvast J, Tolboom J, Kafwembe E, Musonda R, Mwanakasale V, van Staveren W . Severe linear growth retardation in rural Zambian children: the influence of biological variables. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000; 71(2):550-9. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/71.2.550. View

Ayaya S, Esamai F, Rotich J, Olwambula A . Socio-economic factors predisposing under five-year-old children to severe protein energy malnutrition at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya. East Afr Med J. 2004; 81(8):415-21. DOI: 10.4314/eamj.v81i8.9203. View

Engebretsen I, Moland K, Nankunda J, Karamagi C, Tylleskar T, Tumwine J . Gendered perceptions on infant feeding in Eastern Uganda: continued need for exclusive breastfeeding support. Int Breastfeed J. 2010; 5:13. PMC: 2987848. DOI: 10.1186/1746-4358-5-13. View

Engebretsen I, Tylleskar T, Wamani H, Karamagi C, Tumwine J . Determinants of infant growth in Eastern Uganda: a community-based cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2008; 8:418. PMC: 2637269. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-418. View

10.

Matovu A, Kirunda B, Rugamba-Kabagambe G, Tumwesigye N, Nuwaha F . Factors influencing adherence to exclusive breast feeding among HIV positive mothers in Kabarole district, Uganda. East Afr Med J. 2008; 85(4):162-70. DOI: 10.4314/eamj.v85i4.9640. View

11.

Walker S, Chang S, Powell C, Grantham-McGregor S . Effects of early childhood psychosocial stimulation and nutritional supplementation on cognition and education in growth-stunted Jamaican children: prospective cohort study. Lancet. 2005; 366(9499):1804-7. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67574-5. View

12.

Pelletier D, Frongillo E . Changes in child survival are strongly associated with changes in malnutrition in developing countries. J Nutr. 2003; 133(1):107-19. DOI: 10.1093/jn/133.1.107. View

13.

Black R, Allen L, Bhutta Z, Caulfield L, de Onis M, Ezzati M . Maternal and child undernutrition: global and regional exposures and health consequences. Lancet. 2008; 371(9608):243-60. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61690-0. View