Kyambogo University, through the Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics in the School of Vocational Studies, invites staff, students, and the general public to a Public Lecture on “Nutrition and Child Development Linkages – The Maternal Education Trial (CHNUDEV) in Rural Uganda.”

The event will take place on Tuesday, 11th November 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the NPT Boardroom, SOME Complex, Kyambogo University.

The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Per Ole Iversen (MD, PhD), Professor of Clinical Nutrition at the University of Oslo, Norway.
It will be hosted by Dr. Peter Milton Rukundo (PhD), Dean of the School of Vocational Studies, Kyambogo University, and discussed by Dr. Muhoozi Grace Kyamazima (PhD), Senior Lecturer, Family Life and Consumer Studies, Kyambogo University.

About the Lecture

The Child Nutrition and Development (CHNUDEV) study was a randomised controlled trial conducted in rural southwestern Uganda (2013–2014). The research assessed the effects of a maternal education intervention on child growth, nutrition, oral health, and cognitive development. Mothers were trained in nutrition, hygiene, and child stimulation to evaluate improvements in their children’s wellbeing.

Intervention and Design

Mothers of children aged 6–8 months participated in a six-month educational programme focusing on nutrition, oral hygiene, and child stimulation. The trial followed a cluster-randomised control design, with both intervention and control groups.

Key Findings

  • Oral Health: Improved teeth-cleaning practices, reduced dental caries, and fewer cases of false-tooth extraction—sustained over time.

  • Growth: Limited measurable effects on stunting.

  • Cognitive Development: Significant gains in cognitive, language, and motor skills.

  • Maternal Mental Health: High levels of maternal depression observed, though not directly linked to child undernutrition.

Outcomes

While the intervention showed minimal impact on physical growth, it led to remarkable improvements in child development and oral health. With over ten peer-reviewed publications, the CHNUDEV study continues to guide policy formulation and research in maternal and child nutrition across low-income settings.

Focus of the Lecture

In this session, Prof. Iversen will present the long-term findings from CHNUDEV and explain how maternal education influences nutrition and child development outcomes. He will also highlight new research dimensions emerging from the study.

Dr. Muhoozi Grace will offer reflections on the local research experience, emphasizing policy implications and opportunities for further collaboration in Uganda’s nutrition and child-health initiatives.

 

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