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August 14, 2026BMC PediatricsOpen Access

Prevalence of malnutrition, its associated factors and barriers to attaining adequate nutrition among children with sickle cell disease in Eastern Uganda: mixed study design

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Authors

NONicodemus OkwareSNShamim NabiddaLELucy Ezatiru

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Overview

Mixed-methods study reveals high malnutrition rates in pediatric sickle cell disease, indicating that socioeconomic barriers and poor dietary diversity hinder nutritional health.

Key Points

  • To determine the prevalence of malnutrition, its associated risk factors, and barriers to achieving adequate nutrition among children under 18 years of age with sickle cell disease in Eastern Uganda.
  • Conducted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design incorporating a quantitative survey of 365 systematically sampled children under 18 years with sickle cell disease.
  • Collected qualitative data through in-depth interviews with 10 caregivers (age ≥18 years) and 6 key informant interviews with healthcare workers.
  • Evaluated associated quantitative factors using a modified Poisson regression model and analyzed qualitative narratives using inductive thematic analysis.
  • The prevalence of malnutrition among 365 children with sickle cell disease was 20% (95% CI: 15.9%–24.1%).
  • Malnutrition was strongly associated with lack of dietary diversity (aPR = 6.800, p = 0.002), lack of support systems (aPR = 2.247, 95% CI: 1.461–3.454, p < 0.001), and consuming fewer than three meals per day (aPR = 1.798, 95% CI: 1.236–2.616, p = 0.002).
  • Other significant factors included low monthly family income (aPR = 1.700, 95% CI: 1.127–2.565, p = 0.011), male primary caregiver (aPR = 1.441, 95% CI: 1.026–2.024, p = 0.035), facility medication unavailability (aPR = 1.503, 95% CI: 1.003–2.251, p = 0.048), and no penicillin prophylaxis (aPR = 0.626, p = 0.044).

Cite This Study

Okware et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7ee587b70b84ec8b9147fchttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-026-07513-y
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Malnutrition and associated factors in school-age children with sickle cell anemia2025
  2. 2A cross-sectional study on BMI, anemia, and quality of life in children with sickle cell disease2025
  3. 3“I think if we don’t eat well, we will be sicker”: A Qualitative Perspective on Contributing Factors to Diet Intake and Nutrition Among Adults Living with Sickle Cell Disease in the U.S2026
  4. 4Adherence to ready-to-use therapeutic food in older children with sickle cell anaemia and severe acute malnutrition: a mixed-methods study in a low-income setting.2025 · 1 citations
  5. 5Combined nutrition education and vocational training for caregivers of children with sickle cell anemia and severe malnutrition: A feasibility study2025