Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Nutrition and Dietetics Needs and the Requisite Professional Competencies in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background: Effective implementation of nutrition and dietetics interventions necessitates professionals in these fields to possess the requisite competencies for health systems performance. This study explored the stakeholders’ perceptions of the community nutrition and dietetics needs, the nature of work done by graduates of the Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition/Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HN/HND), and the competencies required of Nutrition and Dietetics professionals in Uganda.Methods: A cross-sectional mixed methods design was used. Respondents included 132 graduates of the Bachelor’s degrees in HN/HND obtained from the Makerere and Kyambogo Universities during the period 2005–2017; 14 academic staff that train HN/HND in the two universities; and 10 HN/HND work/internship supervisors. Data from the graduates was collected through an email-based survey while that from other participants was through face to face interviews using a structured key informant interview guide.Results: Most HN/HND respondents (84.8%) obtained their Bachelor's degrees from Kyambogo University and 61.4% graduated in the years 2013–2017. Most (64.3%) academic staff that responded were females and the majority (57.1%) had doctorate training. All stakeholders viewed communities as facing a variety of nutrition and dietetics challenges some of which fall across different Sustainable Development Goals. The nutrition and dietetics interventions requested, provided, and considered a priority to provide to communities were both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive. Work done by HN/HND graduates encompassed seven main domains; the dominant being organizational leadership and management; management of nutrition-related disease conditions; nutrition and health promotion; research and documentation; and advocacy, communication, and awareness. The knowledge and skills expected of graduates varied but graduates exhibited knowledge and skills gaps in the main areas they are expected to be competent.Conclusions: This study summarises the stakeholders’ perceptions of the nutrition and dietetics challenges faced in Uganda; provided nutrition and dietetic services; nature of work and job roles performed by HN/HND graduates; and the knowledge and skills and related gaps amongst HN/HND graduates practicing in Uganda. We recommend using these findings as a basis for undertaking further stakeholder dialogues towards the development of a competency-based education model suitable for use in strengthening nutrition and dietetics training in Uganda.

Beyond paper realities : Fostering integrated nutrition governance in Uganda

“…As shown in this dissertation, some local leadership enabled nutrition integration through the mechanisms of issue promotion, policy learning and push for collaboration during service provision. Despite Ugandan universities training high numbers of nutritionists annually (Kikomeko et al 2020), the majority are inadequately equipped to access and participate in the strategic policy decision making arenas.…”