Effect of family health groups on nutritional status of children 6-59 months in Kabale and Rukiga Districts in Southwestern Uganda

Abstract

Background: Family Health Groups (FHGs), an intervention to address malnutrition was operationalized in 2016 to help pregnant and lactating mothers adopt behaviors consistent with good nutritional and health practices. This study compared the effects of FHGs on nutritional status of children 6-59 months as well as the nutritional knowledge and practices of their mothers in Kabale and Rukiga districts. Methods: This was a cross sectional study that applied quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A two stage cluster sampling method was used to select 528 participants. 6-59 months old children’s nutrition status was measured and their mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using Stata version 14. A chi square and a linear regression model was run to determine the association between the variables. Six (6) focus group discussions were carried out using an FGD guide and thematic analysis was done to analyse the data. Results: Acute malnutrition among the children was low, 1.1% (6/528) while chronic malnutrition was high at 41.1% (217/528).There was a significant difference in stunting (chronic malnutrition) (P=0.000) of the children not in FHGs while there was no significant difference in wasting (acute malnutrition) (P=0.933) across groups. The mothers reported high nutritional knowledge but complained of poverty and low food choices/options which resulted in feeding of the same foods over and over again. Conclusion: While there was no significant difference in acute malnutrition, chronic malnutrition significantly differed between children whose mothers attended FHGs and those who did not. FHGs may have a beneficial effect regarding behavioural change, nutritional knowledge uptake and social support but did not an affect the nutritional status of children 6-59 months old in Kabale and Rukiga districts.