Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Influencing Feeding Practices, Morbidity Status, and Dietary Intakes of Children Aged 7–24 Months in Rural Uganda

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to analyze the nutritional and morbidity patterns of children aged 7–24 months in relationship to household socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Structured questionnaires and repeated 24-hour recalls were used to collect data. Maternal education and age influenced timing of complementary foods, dietary diversity score, meal frequency, and diarrhea incidences (p < .05). This resulted in 53%, 59%, 48%, 43%, and 22% of the study children having inadequate intake of energy, protein, vitamin A, iron, and zinc, respectively. Households need to be empowered to utilize available resources for improving nutrient intake and health among their children.

KEYWORDS:

• Dietary intake
• feeding practices
• morbidity status
• rural Uganda
• socioeconomic and demographic characteristics