UNDERLYING DETERMINANTS OF STUNTING AMONG UNDER-5 CHILDREN IN UGANDAN CATTLE CORRIDORS.

A study was undertaken to assess the underlying determinants of stunting among under-5 children in Ugandan cattle corridor; A case study of Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts with specific objectives; assessing the effect of demographic and socio-economic factors on stunting of children below five years. Secondary data of household socio-economic and demographic characteristics as well as anthropometry for children below five years was used. The findings indicated a statistically significant relationship between stunting and maternal occupation specifically those who did pastoralism (pr=0.013) and business (pr=0.015).
In the multivariate logistic regression model, maternal occupation remained a significant determinant on child stunting status especially on women who did pastoralism (pr=0.051*). Women who did pastoralism as their occupation were less likely to have stunted children than women who did peasantry as reference category (OR=0.12).
In conclusion, there is need to obtain primary data at an appropriate time, taking into consideration, the use of an appropriate indicator of child nutrition status that is, by obtaining data on child weights to enable use of wasting as an alternate regressor/indicator.