Peer-reviewed article

Under-Five Undernutrition Prevalence, Its Inequality, Associated Socio-Economic and Demographic Factors in Uganda: Secondary Analysis of 2019/2020 National Panel Data.

Orech S, Mine MR, Okello F, Nabachenje P, Nankafu B et al. · 28 Feb 2026

Abstract

Background Undernutrition is a type of malnutrition in which there are deficiencies in nutrient intake. It is caused by inadequate dietary intake and disease. Undernutrition contributes toward poor health outcomes of a child, and imposes a financial burden on the child's household. This study aims to determine under-five undernutrition prevalence, its inequality and associated socioeconomic and demographic factors in Uganda. Methodology We analyzed secondary data of 2019/2020 Uganda National Panel Survey. From 815 households, selected 815 children under 5 who had complete data on age (months), weight (kilograms), and height (centimeters). This was used for computing the z scores. Based on the World Health Organization reference, we used the z scores to determine the children's nutritional status. We then compared households of malnourished and those of the well-nourished children using the student's t-test and the chi square (χ2) test respectively. Results Among 815 children included in the study, undernutrition prevalence was 16.9% stunted, 6.1% wasted, and 11.8% underweight. This corresponds to catastrophic health expenditure being 1.1%, 1.7%, and 0.7% lower among households with stunted, wasted and underweight children respectively, compared to households with well-nourished children. The distribution was not statistically significant: ( χ2(P)  = 2.331 (0.312)), ( χ2(P)  = 0.863 (0.649)), and ( χ2(P)  = 0.335 (0.846)), respectively. Conclusion The odds of undernutrition didn't differ by nutritional status, but undernourished children had significantly higher transport expenses. MoH should invest in community healthcare services to reduce these costs.