Prevalence and Influencing Factors to Malnutrition among Children 5–17 Years with Sickle Cell Disease in Eastern Uganda
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Globally, sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a public health concern, with an estimated burden of 7.74 million people living with sickle cell disease. SCD places a nutritional burden on individuals affected. Malnutrition is a prevalent issue among individuals with SCD, affecting patients of different age groups and disease severities. It remains a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite the existence of this problem, there is limited literature about the prevalence and influencing factors of malnutrition among children 5-17 years with SCD at Mbale regional referral hospital
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used, employing a quantitative approach. Data were collected at one point in time from 331 children with sickle cell disease and their caregivers attending Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. A structured questionnaire administered through KoboCollect was used as the main data collection tool. The tool was developed by the researcher with guidance and adaptation from existing validated tools commonly used in nutrition research, including WHO/UNICEF child nutrition guidelines. Data were analyzed using Stata version 18, and the findings were triangulated.
Results: Of the 331 children assessed, 46.83% were malnourished based on BMI-for-age classification, and 28.10% had a MUAC measurement below 14.9 cm, indicating risk of acute undernutrition. Age (p=0.04), breastfeeding status (p=0.04), and meal frequency (p<0.001) were significantly associated with malnutrition at the bivariate level. On multivariate analysis, hospitalization in the past six months (AOR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.21–0.94, p=0.034), severe shoulder muscle wasting (AOR=2.90, 95% CI: 0.10–8.49, p=0.047), and the presence of ascites (AOR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.19–0.99, p=0.047) remained independently associated with malnutrition.
Conclusion: The study established a high prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 5–17 years with sickle cell disease in Eastern Uganda and identified hospitalization history, severe shoulder muscle wasting, and ascites as the key independent predictors. These findings can be used by MRRH to strengthen routine nutritional screening and inform policy makers on the burden of malnutrition among older children with SCD.
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An undergraduate research
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Citation
Mukhokosi, J. (2026). Prevalence and Influencing Factors to Malnutrition among Children 5–17 Years with Sickle Cell Disease in Eastern Uganda