Browsing by Author "Oyet, Sunday Mark"

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    A qualitative exploration of fermented milk processing traditionally practiced by the pokot ethnic group of Karamoja in Uganda
    (Elsevier, 2026-07-10) Owiny, Emmanuel; Oyet, Sunday Mark; Chemutai, Doreen; Kitambo, Enos; Muggaga, Christopher; Okello, Uma-Ipolto
    Traditional food processing methods have the potential to combat malnutrition while providing sustainable livelihoods in communities such as the Karamojong devasted by a high burden of malnutrition and associated health consequences. The purpose of the current study was to document the traditional milk processing among the Pokot community in Karamoja subregion of Uganda, specifically focusing on the sour milk. A qualitative study involving five key informants and 46 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) participants was employed. We found that traditional knowledge of fermenting milk is passed by the older women to younger generations while in their childhood. We also observed that the Pokot ethnic community used burnt plant parts for treating fermentation vessels. Calabash or gourds were the most common fermentation vessels though some households used plastic jerricans as fermentation vessels. A traditionally fermented milk locally known as lolon, follows seven key steps: cleaning of the gourds, milking, sieving, boiling, defatting, fermentation, and draining. Our study demonstrates that milk processing by traditional methods by the Pokot ethnic community is culturally entrenched, initiated when the women are at a young age. Cultural identity associated with the milk processing among the Pokot reinforces food systems, therefore, we recommend the need for further empirical research beyond the current exploration such as innovations for improving and optimizing the process steps to improve food security and nutrition among the Pokot community in Karamoja subregion.
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    Dietary quality, anaemia prevalence and their associated factors among rural school- going adolescents in Acholi sub -region of Uganda
    (Springer Nature, 2024-12-28) Adokorach, Gloria; Oyet, Sunday Mark; Obai, Gerald; Muggaga, Christopher
    Background Globally, iron deficiency anaemia is a widespread public health problem affecting vulnerable populations including adolescents. However, over the years, the Uganda Demographic Health Surveys mostly report the status of anaemia for women of reproductive age (15–49 years) and children up to 5 years, leaving out the focus on adolescents. Moreover, high prevalence of anaemia among children below five years could suggest that anaemia still persists at adolescence. Therefore, the study aimed at determining dietary quality, prevalence of anaemia and their associated factors among school-going adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 341 adolescent boys and girls aged 10–19 years was carried out in two rural schools in Gulu district. Prevalence of anaemia was determined by obtaining blood specimens from a finger prick into a microcuvette and analysed for haemoglobin (Hb) level using Haemoglobin analyser, whereas dietary quality was assessed using the Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS). Socio-economic and demographic data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results The overall prevalence of anaemia was 16.0% (Girls:18.1%; Boys:13.0%), while the mean Hb level was 13.2 ± 1.4 g/dl (Girls 13.0 ± 1.3 g/dl; Boys 13.5 ± 1.6 g/dl). The mean number of food groups consumed among the adolescents was 3.5 ± 2.1 for girls and 3.0 ± 1.8 for boys (p˃0.05). Animal source foods, fruits and vitamin A-rich vegetables, other fruits and vegetables were consumed by adolescent girls more than the boys. Similarly, a higher proportion of adolescent girls than boys consumed iron-rich foods: fish and meat, organ meat and dark green leafy vegetables. Further, all the socio-demographic factors in the study did not predict dietary diversity (p ˃ 0.05). On the other hand, education attainment by parent/guardian and nature of menstruation predicted the prevalence of anaemia amongst adolescents (p < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of anaemia was high among adolescents. Coupled with this, there, was low dietary diversity among the adolescents. The level of education of the parent/guardian and nature of the menstrual discharge were significant predictors of anaemia amongst girls. From this study, we recommend interventions by both health and agricultural-related practitioners to strengthen activities in rural schools such as health and nutrition education to create awareness about dietary diversity and promotion of agricultural practices such as school vegetable gardens, orchards poultry production and rearing of small ruminants to support consumption of diverse foods in schools with the view of reducing the burden from iron deficiency anaemia.
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    Effect of malted iron-rich beans flour inclusion on nutritional and sensory properties of broken rice-based complementary food: a community-based experimental study
    (Springer Nature, 2026-09-03) Atibo, Christopher; Oyet, Sunday Mark; Muggaga, Christopher; Mugonola, Basil
    Background Iron and zinc deficiencies are a major public health concern among children aged 6-24 months in Northern Uganda, particularly in the Acholi sub-region. These deficiencies are largely linked to complementary foods prepared from inadequately processed local ingredients with high anti-nutritional factors, which impair micronutrient absorption. This study investigated the effect of malting on broken rice-iron-rich beans composite flour, focusing on sensory properties, nutrient composition, bioavailability, and anti-nutritional content. Methods Nine formulations (four malted, four unmalted, and one control) were analyzed. Sensory evaluations were conducted with 124 mothers of children aged 6-24 months. Proximate composition, micronutrient content, and anti-nutritional factors were determined in the laboratory. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA at p ≤ 0.05. Results For children aged 6-11 months, the most preferred formulation was composite F (30% unmalted beans: 70% rice), while composite C (40% malted beans: 60% rice) was most acceptable for 12-24 months. Composite A (30% malted beans: 70% rice) and G (40% unmalted beans: 60% rice) recorded moisture contents of 2.3% and 3.0%, respectively, with G being significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05). Composite E (30% unmalted beans: 70% rice) showed the highest water absorption capacity, while malting reduced oil absorption capacity and bulk density. Ash content was higher in malted samples (A = 1.45%, C = 2.28%) than unmalted (E = 1.52%, G = 1.76%). Carbohydrate levels were consistent but highest in the control (100% rice = 91.71%). Protein digestibility was higher in malted samples (A = 33.16%, C = 12.35%), while zinc bioavailability was highest in C (4.14%). Malting increased zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber, and reduced phytate and trypsin inhibitors, though polyphenols and tannins slightly increased. Conclusions Malting improved nutritional quality, functional properties, and acceptability of complementary foods. Composite A is suitable for 6-11 months, and composite C for 12-24 months. Promoting iron-rich bean composites through caregiver education and early childhood feeding programs could enhance nutrient intake, support growth, and prevent micronutrient deficiencies.
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    The influence of sugarcane growing by smallholder farmers on household livelihood, food security, and nutrition status of children below five years in mid-western Uganda
    (Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2023-11-23) Oyet, Sunday Mark; Muggaga, Christopher; Okello-Uma, Ipolto; Mbabazi, Kaahwa Robert
    The current study aimed at determining the influence of sugarcane production on livelihoods, food security and nutrition status. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 350 smallholder farmers in mid-western Uganda. Food security was assessed by Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) while household livelihood and nutrition status of children below five (5) years were assessed by a semi-structured questionnaire and anthropometry respectively. Results showed that sugarcane growing households (SCG) cultivated more acreage of food, owned more assets, earned more income than the non-sugarcane growing households (NSCG). Ownership of motorcycles was higher (p < 0.05) among SCG than NSCG. Households reported anxiety and uncertainty of having food in the previous four weeks (SCG 38%; NSCG 55.2%); had insufficient food quality (SCG 56.8%; NSCG 70.7%); and had insufficient food quantity (SCG 41.7%; NSCG 49.2%). SCG were more food secure (32.3%) than the NSCG (20.8%) (p < 0.05) with a corresponding mean HFIAS of 6.56 ± 6.69 and 8.41 ± 6.41, respectively. Stunting among children below five years among NSCG was higher (34.6%) than in SCG (21.3%). Among SCG, 7.3% and 5.2% of children were underweight and wasted while 6.06% and 2.7% were underweight and wasted from NSCG. This demonstrated that sugarcane growing had better livelihood outcomes, positively impacted on asset ownership and food security but mixed effect on nutrition indicators among children in sugarcane growing and non-sugarcane growing households. It is recommended that government and development agencies diversify livelihoods among the NSCG and reinforce the existing livelihoods among SCG; provide nutrition education to both SCG and NSCG for improved food security and nutrition outcomes. Authors suggest further studies using a mixed approach to assess the levels of household nutrient intake in sugarcane growing areas.