Abstract
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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 2005-2016; 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 2013-2016. 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. Conclusions: This study shows that nutrition and dietetics challenges in Uganda are multifaceted. HN/HND graduates are employed in different sectors; provide nutrition-specific and sensitive interventions in a multisectoral environment; are expected to possess a variety of knowledge and skills. However, graduates have knowledge and skills gaps even in some of the key areas they are expected to exhibit competency. We recommend using these findings to develop a HN/HND competency-based education model suitable for Uganda; develop a national HN/HND training and practice standards; and undertake further research to understand the quality and relevancy of HN/HND curricula to the job market requirements.