Factors Related to Incidence of Malnutrition among Surgical Patients Undergoing Major Surgeries at Kasama General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Malnutrition is a widespread concern among adult surgical inpatients. It is one of the most important risk factors associated with illness and death, affecting hundreds of millions of patients’ groups such as pregnant women, surgical patients and young children. Objectives: The general objective was to explore the factors related to incidence of malnutrition among surgical patients with major surgeries at Kasama general hospital. Which specifically concentrated on socioeconomic factors, healthcare services related factors, and patient related factors. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional study design which used a quantitative approach of approach of research, 86 surgical patients successfully participated and data was collected using a questionnaire. The analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test with the help of a computer program named Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. Results: Of the 86 respondents, 77.9% were female, 68.6% were single, and 58.1% were 45 years or older, with an even distribution from rural (52.3%) and urban (47.7%) areas. Nearly half (45.3%) were employed, and educational attainment was varied, with 37.2% holding tertiary and 36.0% secondary education. Malnutrition findings showed 65.1% of patients had low levels, while 34.9% exhibited high levels, which may affect surgical recovery. Socioeconomic factors, such as limited resources, facility distance, and lack of return funds, were common but not significantly associated with malnutrition. Healthcare-related issues (extra meals, pre-surgery starvation, eating difficulties) also showed no significant association. In contrast, patient factors including lack of balanced meals, appetite reduction due to the ward environment, insufficient routine nutrition assessments, and lack of dietary education were significantly linked to malnutrition, suggesting a need for enhanced patient-centered nutritional support. Conclusion: The study has concluded that socioeconomic factors, patient related factors and health services related factors have contributed to incidences of malnutrition among surgical patients.