A Profile of Malnutrition in Uganda: Demographics and Consequences

Dr. Elizabeth Madraa (MD, MPH)Ministry of Health, Uganda

A Profile of Malnutrition in Uganda: Demographics and Consequences

Dr. Elizabeth Madraa (MD, MPH)Ministry of Health, Uganda

The National Development Plan The National Development Plan 2010-20152010-2015

• Reduce poverty from 38% to 30%• Main driving strategies include:

–Increased agricultural productivity and value added

–Improved health and survival–Human capacity development

Requirements for the achieving Requirements for the achieving NDP2010-2015 goalsNDP2010-2015 goals

• Children must be well cared for• Population must attain their full

potential:–Productivity–Health –Educatability

Malnutrition Among Children <5yrs Uganda Malnutrition Among Children <5yrs Uganda 1995, 2001 and 2006 1995, 2001 and 2006 (WHO standards)(WHO standards)

UDHS, 2006

Vulnerability to Malnutrition is Higher in Vulnerability to Malnutrition is Higher in Some Regions Some Regions

UDHS, 2006

Micronutrient Deficiencies in Uganda, 2001 Micronutrient Deficiencies in Uganda, 2001 and 2006and 2006

UDHS, 2001 & 2006

Consequences of Malnutrition and the Consequences of Malnutrition and the National Development Plan 2010-2015National Development Plan 2010-2015

Malnutrition in Uganda has effect on:

–Agricultural productivity

–Disease and survival

–Human capacity development

Consequences on Agricultural

Productivity and Value Addition

Iron Deficiency Anaemia Iron Deficiency Anaemia and and Agriculture in Economic DevelopmentAgriculture in Economic Development

• Uganda lost US$ 38 million worth of productivity in 2009

• 0.6% of the GDP

Childhood stunting Childhood stunting and and Agriculture in Economic DevelopmentAgriculture in Economic Development

• Uganda lost US$ 230 Million worth of productivity in 2009

• 2.5% of the GDP

Burden of low-birth weight (LBW) on Burden of low-birth weight (LBW) on UGANDA in 2009UGANDA in 2009

• In 2009 over 170,000 born underweight.

• Cost the government and families about US$ 5.8 million for specialized health care

• 16,000 children died due to low birth weight

Profiles UGANDA

Burden of Vitamin A deficiency on Burden of Vitamin A deficiency on UGANDA in 2009UGANDA in 2009

Risk of death from Vitamin A deficiency is 1.4

Profiles UGANDA

Malnutrition and Child Mortality in Malnutrition and Child Mortality in Uganda (2009 alone!!!)Uganda (2009 alone!!!)

R.I.P

51,300 child

deaths due to PEM

alone!

R.I.P

R.I.P

15,800 child

deaths due to VAD

16,200 child

deaths due to LBW

Maternal Deaths in UGANDA Maternal Deaths in UGANDA (2006-2016)(2006-2016)

Jorg

e M

ore

iro

Profiles UGANDA

15,000 Maternal Deaths due to Anaemia!

UN

ICE

F/9

5-0

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5 S

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did

Iodine Deficiency and education Iodine Deficiency and education (2009)(2009)

US$8.6m worth of productivity

lost

2,100 children will be born as

cretins

Another 59,000 will be born with severe mental

retardation

7y 7y 4y olds

Stunted children tend to start school later, repeat classes, and less productive in

adulthood

Growth retardation (stunting) and Growth retardation (stunting) and education (2009)education (2009)

Start school later

Absenteeism high

Class repetition high

School grade performance poor

Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Iron Deficiency Anaemia and EducationEducation

UN

ICE

F/P

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i

•Ability to learn, •Concentration in school,•Retention rates,•School performance, •Speech and hearing ability.

We can change the situation!!

$

$There’re Benefits to the There’re Benefits to the POOR and to the NationPOOR and to the Nation

• Savings from treating ailments attributable to malnutrition

• Economic worth of physical & mental productivity gained

UN

ICE

F/P

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Ability to compete as Ability to compete as children and adultschildren and adults

Lowered IMR and Lowered IMR and MMR among the MMR among the

POORPOOR

R.I.PDeathsPrevented

A Price A Price Too Too

High to High to Neglect!!Neglect!!