A Profile of Malnutrition in Uganda: Demographics and Consequences Dr. Elizabeth Madraa (MD, MPH) Ministry of Health, Uganda

The National Development Plan 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 NDP goals Children must be well cared for Population must attain their full potential: – Productivity – Health – Educatability

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

Vulnerability to Malnutrition is Higher in Some Regions UDHS, 2006

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

Consequences of Malnutrition and the National Development Plan Malnutrition in Uganda has effect on: – Agricultural productivity – Disease and survival – Human capacity development

Consequences on Agricultural Productivity and Value Addition

Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Agriculture in Economic Development Uganda lost US$ 38 million worth of productivity in % of the GDP

Childhood stunting and Agriculture in Economic Development Uganda lost US$ 230 Million worth of productivity in % of the GDP

Consequences on Disease and Survival

Burden of low-birth weight (LBW) on UGANDA 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 UGANDA in 2009 Risk of death from Vitamin A deficiency is 1.4 Profiles UGANDA

Malnutrition and Child Mortality in Uganda (2009 alone!!!) R.I.P 51,300 child deaths due to PEM alone! R.I.P 15,800 child deaths due to VAD 16,200 child deaths due to LBW

Maternal Deaths in UGANDA ( ) Jorge Moreiro Profiles UGANDA 15,000 Maternal Deaths due to Anaemia!

Consequences on Education and Intelligence

UNICEF/ Shadid Iodine Deficiency and education (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 education (2009) Start school later Absenteeism high Class repetition high School grade performance poor

Iron Deficiency Anaemia and Education UNICEF/Pirozzi Ability to learn, Concentration in school, Retention rates, School performance, Speech and hearing ability.

We can change the situation!!

$ $ There’re Benefits to the POOR and to the Nation Savings from treating ailments attributable to malnutrition Economic worth of physical & mental productivity gained

UNICEF/Pirozzi Ability to compete as children and adults

Lowered IMR and MMR among the POOR R.I.P Deaths Prevented

A Price Too High to Neglect!!