Browsing by Author "Mirembe, Winnie"

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    Food environment and dietary intake of female smallholder farmers in rural Uganda: the case of Mpigi district
    (BMC Nutrition, 2025-11-18) Nambooze, Joweria; Kansabe, Shirley; Nakayiki Nyanzi, Lilian; Mbabazi, Muniirah; Mirembe, Winnie; Agole, David; Birungi, Tracy Lukiya; Kakande, James; Nantongo, Veronica
    Background Malnutrition remains persistent among female smallholder farmers who produce most of the food consumed in Uganda; yet, information on their food environment is limited. We tested the hypothesis that rural female smallholder farmers rely mostly on the food they produce for their dietary intake. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 386 female smallholder farmers of reproductive in Mpigi district, Central Uganda. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall, producing the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) score, and facets of the food environment were assessed using self-reported perceptions and a seven-day food frequency questionnaire. The cost, and sources of the consumed foods were also assessed. The food-environment predictors of MDD-W were analyzed using binary logistic regression in Stata 15. Results Results revealed that less than half of the respondents, 43.3% (n = 167) met the MDD-W, whereas 56.7% (n = 219) did not. The respondents primarily depended on a bought food environment from which they obtained an average of 6.5 (± 2.9) food items compared to their own production 4.5 (± 2.4). Every household spent an average of United States Dollars (USD) 8.5 (± 7.9) to buy food in the seven days preceding the study. The odds that a woman met the MDD-W increased by 18% (p = 0.00) if they bought food, by 13% (p = 0.01) if they obtained food through their home-stead production, and by 4% (p = 0.00) if they had any positive or negative perceptions on physical access to food. Conclusions Compared with their own production, female smallholder farmers in rural areas like Mpigi depend more on the bought food environment for their dietary intake. Innovations that enhance physical and economic access to diverse diets, promote both diverse production and purchase alongside social behavior change communication, are recommended to improve the dietary diversity of female smallholder farmers in Mpigi.
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    Maternal work load, food choices and nutritional status of rural smallholder female farmers in mpigi district, central Uganda
    (Kyambogo University [unpublished work], 2023-11) Mirembe, Winnie
    Introduction: This study investigated the interplay between maternal workload, food choices, and the nutritional status of rural smallholder female farmers in Mpigi District, Central Uganda. The research aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of women of reproductive age, explore maternal activities, food choices and determine the relationship between maternal workload, food choices and nutritional status. Methodology: A total of 386 female farmers aged 18-49, with children under five years, participated in the cross-sectional survey. Quantitative methods were employed, encompassing data collection on demographics, food choices, time allocation, anthropometric measurements, and dietary data. Random sampling method was used to select study participants within selected enumeration areas in the study district. Chi-square test of independence, was applied to assess the relationship between maternal workload, food choices, and the nutritional status of rural smallholder female farmers. Results: More than half (57%) of the respondents consumed food from less than five food groups. Dark green vegetables, vitamin A fruits/vegetables, meat, fish, chicken and eggs were the least consumed. This dietary pattern increased the risk of micronutrient deficiencies thus triple burden of malnutrition, with 5.2% underweight and 36.5% overweight or obese. The majority (92.5%) of smallholder female farmers worked for less than 10.5 hours per day, with various activities such as food crop fanning, child care, and food preparation occupying most of their time. Notably, smallholder female farmers who worked more extended hours were more likely to consume protein-rich foods like eggs, meat, fish, and chicken. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant association (p=0.049) between maternal workload and nutritional status, as mothers working longer hours were more likely to be overweight or obese. Conclusion: This research underscores the interplay between maternal workload, food choices, and the nutritional status of smallholder female farmers. It emphasizes the importance of empowering women in rural settings and the need for a balance between work hours, dietary intake and food choice to combat malnutrition effectively. Additionally, it suggests a potential trade-off between extended working hours and maternal health, which can negatively impact overall nutritional status.