Abstract:

Background: Malnutrition is a major public health problem of development with health and social economic consequences. Malnutrition prevents children from reaching their full physical and mental potential. Health and physical growth and motor development, lower intellectual quotient, deficient social skills, and susceptibility to susceptibility to contacting diseases.

Objective: To assess the accessibility of the other nutritional supplements other than fish for under five children in fishing community.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done where by a total of 260 mothers/guardians or caretakers of under-five children were involved in Sangabuye and Bugogwa fishing communities. A structured questionnaire including questions like, frequency of fish eating, provision of vegetable preparation, sources of vegetable and fruits was used as well as focused group discussion.

Results: Out of the 260 mothers or guardians interviewed only 18 (6.9%) reported to provide fruits and vegetables in the lunch meal of their under five children and 14 (5.4%) in the dinner meal. 244 (93.8%) got their fruits and vegetables by buying and only 16 (6.2%) got them from their own gardens. Majority 255 (86.5%) reported to have been informed about the importance of fruits and vegetables in the meals of their under-five children, only 35 (13.5%) have not. The commonest method of vegetable preparation is boiling reported by 163 (62.7%) of the parents.

Conclusion: Fruits and vegetables are a scarce part of the under-five meals residing in the fishing community regardless of the parents knowing the importance of it. Most families do not have the tendency of growing their own vegetables and fruits gardens instead they encounter expenses of obtaining them by buying. Wrong methods (i.e. boiling) are being used in preparation of vegetables hence micronutrients are lost.