Deprivation and Its Association with Child Health and Nutrition in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area of Uganda

AbstractAfrican cities are experiencing increasing living standard disparities with limited evidence of intra-urban health disparities. Using data from the 2006 –2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys, we employed the UN-Habitat definition to examine slum-like household conditions in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). Subsequently, we developed a slum-like severity index and assessed its association with under-5 common morbidities and healt hcare access. We also assessed the characteristics of people in slum-like household conditions. We identified five slum-like conditions: substandard housing conditions, limited water access, overcrowding, unclean cooking fuel, and limited toilet access. By 2016, 67% of GKMA households were classifi ed as slum-like conditions, including 31% in severe conditions. Limited toilet access, overcrowding, and limited water access were the main forms of deprivation.Living in slum-like household conditions correlated with lower education levels, youth status, unprofessional jobs, and marriage. Compared to neighboring Kampala city urban outskirts, Kampala city households had lower slum-like prevalence. Children in GKMA living in slum-like household conditions were more  likely to experience diarrhea (moderate: OR = 1.21[95% CI: 1.05–1.39], severe: OR = 1.47 [95% CI: 1.27–1.7]); fever (moderate: OR = 2.67 [95% CI: 1.23–5.8], severe: OR = 3.09 [95% CI: 1.63–5.85]); anemia (moderate: OR = 1.18 [95% CI: 0.88...
Source: Journal of Urban Health - Category: Health Management Source Type: research