Abstract

Undernourished children in low-income nations continue to be a major public health problem, especially in areas
like Jinja District in southeast Uganda. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between
malnutrition and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics in Jinja District children between the ages of 0 and
59 months. Data from 500 families chosen by multistage sampling were gathered using structured questionnaires
in a cross-sectional research methodology. Using statistical techniques like chi-square tests and logistic regression,
a variety of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were examined in connection to malnutrition indicators,
such as stunting, wasting, and underweight. The results showed that a complicated interaction between
demographic and socioeconomic variables influences child malnutrition. Maternal age, availability to clean water,
education level of the mother, and family income were all strongly correlated with the results of malnutrition.
Furthermore, differences in the frequency of malnutrition were noted between age groups and quintiles of family
affluence. In Jinja District and other comparable contexts, our results highlight the significance of focused
interventions addressing socioeconomic disparities and enhancing access to vital resources in the fight against child
malnutrition. In order to reduce the complex factors that contribute to child malnutrition, effective initiatives should
prioritize improving access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities