Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41493999›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Perceptions and experiences of Hospital-Acquired Diarrhea among children aged 0-59 months with Severe Acute Malnutrition at Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit, Mulago, Uganda: A qualitative study.

Mahad Muweesi, Agnes Nyabigambo, Arthur Bagonza, Musaazi John Francis Kimuli, Grace Rickson Nsubuga, Christopher Garimoi Orach

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Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mahad MuweesiDepartment of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1121-9769
Agnes NyabigamboDepartment of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Arthur BagonzaDepartment of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Musaazi John Francis KimuliDepartment of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Grace Rickson NsubugaDepartment of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Christopher Garimoi OrachDepartment of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHospital-Acquired Diarrhea (HAD) is a global health threat and a leading cause of illness and death in children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). In Uganda, HAD significantly affects children under five with SAM, creating a heavy health and economic burden. This study explored caregivers' and health workers' perceptions and experiences of HAD among children aged (0-59) months with SAM regarding HAD at Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit, Mulago, Uganda.

methodsA qualitative study was conducted at Mwanamugimu Nutrition Unit, involving 12 caregivers and 10 health workers. Audio-recorded data were collected through in-depth interviews (IDIs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). Data was managed using Atlas ti version 6 and thematically analyzed to identify perceptions and experiences of HAD among children (0-59) months with SAM at Mwanamugimu.

resultsThe results are presented according to the major themes that emerged from the data: understanding health risk of HAD and their impact, advantages and challenges of health interventions, empowerment through health education, prompts and motivators for action. Caregivers reported emotional distress, inadequate communication with patient progress by health workers, limited family social support, difficulty in maintaining clean toilets, and financial constraints for diapers and other sanitary items as contributors to HAD. Health workers attributed HAD to inconsistent water supply, inadequate dietary knowledge, and poor infection control. Both groups stressed that motivational triggers are essential for sustainable adherence to management guidelines.

conclusionThis study emphasizes the urgent need to empower caregivers through targeted health education, adequate hygiene support, and structured ward routines. Strengthening caregiver confidence and participation enhances adherence and recovery among children with severe acute malnutrition. Integrating psychosocial support and participatory strategies into hospital nutrition programs can reduce hospital-acquired diarrhea and promote sustainable, high-quality child health outcomes.

Indexed as

Cross InfectionDiarrheaSevere Acute MalnutritionAdultCaregiversChild, PreschoolFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth PersonnelHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMaleQualitative ResearchUganda

Identifiers

PMID41493999
PMCPMC12774350

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