Determinants of nutritional status among women of reproductive age in Northern Uganda

Abstract

This study aimed at examining the determinants of nutrition status among women of reproductive age in Northern Uganda using the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) data. Data from 1,169 women aged 15 to 49 years were analysed with the study employing an ordered logistic model to explore the association between nutrition status and socio-demographic, socioeconomic and intermediate characteristics of women of reproductive age. The researcher used survey weights and diagnostic tests to detect cases of multi-collinearity using the spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. The study revealed that women aged 40 to 49 years are more likely to have a higher BMI compared to those aged 15 to 19 years (OR=6.277, 95% CI 2.824-13.953). Additional analysis showed that women in female-headed households are less likely to have a higher BMI compared to those in male-headed households (OR=0.837, 95% CI 0.587- 1.192). Similarly, women from Acholi region are less likely to have a higher BMI compared to those from Karamojong region (OR=0.427, 95% CI 0.22-0.831). Furthermore, women falling in fourth wealth index category had increased odds of having a higher BMI compared to those falling in the lowest wealth index category (OR=1.858, 95% CI 1.108-3.116). The study recommends the provision of tailor-made dietary and nutritional services: Government through the Office of the Prime Minister should ensure that there is a strategy in place to encourage nutrition and dietary intake for the most susceptible subgroups since this has a direct bearing on individuals’ health throughout their life course. Since older women are at risk of having a higher BMI, the study recommends therefore the to design programmes targeting the uplifting of women’s nutrition status. The study also recommends that women and girls’ education should be emphasized and programmes designed for them to the effect closely monitored to ensure that girls remain in school no matter the circumstances