STUDENT NAME; MULIIKA STEPHEN

REG No. ;18/U/761

SUPERVISOR; DR ASSUMPTA NAGENDA MUSANA

REASEARCH TOPIC;

• AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DESIGN OF CHILD AND MOTHER NUTRITION CARE FACILITIES IN
UGANDA.

CHAPTER 1 PRESENTATION
• Background
• Problem Statement
• Objectives
• Specific objective
• Significance
• Justification
• Conceptual framework
 BACKGROUND
In spite of the fact that Uganda is naturally blessed with
enormous resources that hold Its Agricultural Backbone,
hunger is still a death leading cause in Uganda.

• according to UNICEF, 15% of all child mortality cases are

associated with undernutrition
• More than 2 million children under 5 years of age in
Uganda are chronically Malnourished. (USAID, 2021)

• Children under 5 years are more vulnerable to

undernutrition because their bodies have a greater need for Types of malnutrition source freeMediLnfo
nutrients it being a weaning and post-weaning period of
World Health Organization (WHO) refers
childhood.
malnutrition to “deficiencies or excesses in
• Poor nutrition hinders the Physical and mental nutrient intake, imbalance of essential
development of children thus lower intellectual quotient nutrients or impaired nutrient unitization.
(IQ), greater behavioral problems, and deficient social skills.

• Contrary, childhood overweight is becoming an increasingly • As food insecurity is contributing to under-

important contributor to adult obesity, diabetes, and non- nutrition problems, lack of controlled dietary
communicable diseases. diversity is increasing over-nutrition cases.
• In 2011, globally, an estimation of 43 million children
younger than 5 years, or 7%, were overweight. In Africa, the
estimated prevalence increased from 4% in 1990 to 7% in
2011, and is expected to reach 11% in 2025.
 • On Uganda ‘s journey towards transforming into a
middle-income country, it still faces typical
burdens concerning the 1,2 and 3 of the
Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs ie
Reducing Child Mortality and Improving Maternal
Health)

The built environment can affect the impact of poverty

on people’s lives by providing access to affordable health
facilities.
architecture’s contribution to the goal of no poverty is
that buildings and public spaces must help provide
services that are affordable and accessible for
Child morality as a result of Malnutrition marginalized and poor citizens.

Architecture vs Malnutrition
• Building designs that enable a healthy indoor climate
concerning light, acoustics, air quality, and exposure to
radiation.
• Buildings layout planned so that they allow and encourage
physical activity.
• In response to food insecurity
i. Urban farming eg underground farms for organic
mushrooms and vegetables
ii. Rooftop gardens and micro gardening
iii. Nutrition research center

For children aged 6–23 months, just 15 percent receive a

minimum acceptable diet, (UBOS and ICF 2012, 2018). Alasaka seeds of change USA Alaska
 Problem Statement
• Malnutrition still lies as one of the major underlying causes of infant and child mortality in spite of the
fact that Nutrition Rehabilitation facilities are still insufficient in the county.
• The existing ones may not seem to meet the design standards. (ranging from Mobility, family
involvement, social interaction, privacy, lightning, materials etc.)

Mwana Mugimu Nutrition Unit (MNU)

• Is a children’s nutrition ward at the national referral
hospital in Mulago under the pediatrics department
• Designed with a capacity to admit 30 children
• Daily; 10 patients are admitted each spending at
least 3 days at the facility and 20 outpatient children
on top of those are admitted daily.
• The surge in numbers is caused by parents who do
not want to breastfeed their children, poverty
within the population, lack of knowledge on what to
feed children, and negligence. (Dr. Ester Babirekere
2017)
• The Unit was established to;
i. treat malnutrition among children between the
ages of 0-5
ii. conduct training for parents on proper feeding of
their children. A lady at MNU washing her child’s hands
Training and awareness on Good nutrition is key.
 Main Objective
• The research aims at examining the design
requirements for Mother and Child
Nutritional Care Facilities in Uganda,
focusing on Mwana-mugimu Nutrition unit
Mulago hospital. Specific objectives

a. To investigate the design of Mother and Child

Nutritional CARE Facilities.
b. To examine the design of Mother and Child
Nutritional Care Centers in Uganda.
c. To provide Recommendations for the design of
Mother and Child Nutritional Care Facilities in
Uganda.

Research Questions
a. What are the features of designs of Mother and Child Nutritional Care Facilities?
b. What are the designs appropriate for Mother and Child Nutritional Care Centers in
Uganda?
c. What recommendations can be made to establish Optimal designs for Mother and Child
Nutritional Care Facilities in Uganda?
 Significance
• Health problems such as under nutrition, overweight and obesity have increased in
urban communities due to the lack of understanding of the importance of proper
nutrition and physical activity and insufficient Nutrition facilities.

• The research will generate knowledge

about architectural form and settings,
which are appropriate for children and
mothers needing nutritional support and
awareness.
• The research will facilitate the generation
guidelines for baseline levels of features
and finishes to be provided in all nutrition
centers.
• Findings can be used in develop­ing future
centers and when expanding or
renovating existing ones.
 Justification
• Malnutrition still remains a barrier to
sustainable development and a trap from
which people cannot escape, implying less
productive individuals, who are more prone to
diseases and thus often unable to earn more and
improve their livelihoods.

• The research recommendations and findings will promote design Nutrition facilities that are child -
oriented, appropriate, beautiful, environmentally sensitive, health-promoting and functional.
• This will be essential in providing a knowledge base for nutrition professionals, parents, and policy
makers on how space can contribute to nutritional awareness and health, it being essential for early
childhood.

• Treatment services are estimated to reach less than 15% of

undernourished children (Global Nutrition Target 2025) yet
healthcare providers can play a crucial role in identifying
malnutrition in children and ensuring appropriate care and
referral.

Mwana-mugimu unit outpaces with roof over hangs providing shade.

 Conceptual Framework
Theoretical Factors Indicators
• Scale and size
Child Psychology
• Play(finding out)
• Color
According to Bruner’s
• Complexity (Art,
Development Theory, ‘ children
Stories)
are actively curious and
explorative and capable of
• Mobility and Proximity
adapting to their environment Special needs for
• Family involvement
through interacting with it.’ Nutritional Facilities • Familiar and
CHILD – Stimulating
Environmental Quality
ORIENTED • Distractions
DESIGN
• Light
The spaces designed must be Spatial Quality • Sense-sensitive design
extra special, reflective of the i.e. hearing, touch,
taste, smell
user's age and emotional and • Views
social needs. • Color
Ramachanfran, J. 2002 • Spatial layout

Holistic treatment. • Nutritional Training for

parents
• Awareness
• Income generational
The conceptual framework above provides a breakdown of different variables to be tackled activities training to
during the literature review. parents
 Theoretical Factors Indicators

• Color
Child Psychology • Light
• Play
• Scale and size
• Complexity ie Art
• Social interactions

• Eating atmospheres
Eating environments • Eating efforts
• Eating with others
• Eating distractions
CHILD –
ORIENTED
DESIGN • Color
• Light
Spatial Quality • Views
• Sense-sensitive
design i.e. hearing,
touch, taste, smell
• Art works

Spatial function • Green outdoor

spaces
• Family involvement
• Play
 CHILD PSYCHOLOGY; The design of children facilities must consider the important aspects that make
children feel comfortable and happy. Eg Scale and size; this is important to encourage the manipulability
of the environment and to create a sense of ownership for the child.

SPECIAL NEEDS FOR NUTRITIONAL FACILITIES; the basic needs of the patients are healing and comfort,;
Family interaction with the doctor or nurse promotes a unity of thought on what is best for the child, the
doctor is viewed by the child as an extension of their family.

SPATIAL QUALITY; sense sensitive design we perceive the environment through 5 senses ie; smell, sight,
touch, and hearing. The information we pick from our senses is related to the brain which in turn affects
children’s physical, emotional, and physical condition

HOLISTIC TREATMENT;
• Nutritional Training for parents
• Awareness
• Income generational activities training to parents check on poverty as a root cause
People who are poor are more likely to be affected by different forms of malnutrition. (Rahman 2021)

Source; Action Against Hunger, 2022

Comments
• How does Architecture affect a malnourished child?
• How does architecture relate to the healing and stay of
the malnourished child in the facility?
• Nutrition demonstrated in Architecture? What have other
researchers said?
• “The value of food in space” Food and Architecture

Way forward
• Am thinking of searching into Gastronomic architecture
as we had proposed about it initially.
• May be also, the study of the sun as food for the body.
Vitamin D
 References

• Jordan. B. (2020)Action on equity to end Malnutrition, Global Nutrition Report

• Müller O, Krawinkel M.(2005) Malnutrition and health in developing countries. Can Med
Assoc J.
• Rice AL, Sacco L, Hyder A, Black RE.(2000) Malnutrition as an underlying cause of
childhood deaths associated with infectious diseases in developing countries. Bull World
Health Organ.
• Richard D.Gross, Psychology The science of mind and behavior.
• Natalie. M. (2020)An architecture guide to the UN 17 sustainable Development Goals
volume 2