Table 4 Bivariate and multivariate analysis for factors associated with time to mortality (Cox regression analysis) among children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to Mulago hospital

 Male

38/160 (23.8)

1

 Female

29/106 (27.4)

1.2 (0.7–1.9)

0.505

 No

24/116 (20.7)

1

1

 Yes

43/150 (28.7)

1.5 (0.9–2.4)

0.142

1.1 (0.7–1.9)

0.684

 No

28/127 (22.1)

1

 Yes

39/139 (28.1)

1.3 (0.8–2.1)

0.339

 Normal

38/175 (21.7)

1

 Hypothermia

2/9 (22.2)

1.02 (0.2–4.2)

0.977

 Hyperthermia

26/75 (34.7)

1.6 (1–2.7)

0.059

 No

33/168 (19.6)

1

 Yes

34/98 (34.7)

2 (1.2–3.2)

0.005

 No

43/206 (20.9)

1

 Yes

24/60 (40)

2.1 (1.2–3.4)

0.005

 No

44/144 (30.6)

1

1

 Yes

23/122 (18.9)

0.6 (0.4–1)

0.050

1 (0.6–1.8)

0.951

 No

10/57 (17.5)

1

1

 Yes

57/209 (27.3)

1.6 (0.8–3.1)

0.168

1.3 (0.6–2.6)

0.493

 No

65/262 (24.8)

1

1

 Yes

2/4 (50)

3.2 (0.8–13.3)

0.102

1.5 (0.3–7.5)

0.601

 No

33/162 (20.4)

1

1

 Yes

34/104 (32.7)

1.7 (1.1–2.8)

0.027

1.5 (0.9–2.5)

0.153

 Negative

52/234 (22.2)

1

1

 Positive

15/32 (46.9)

2.1 (1.2–3.8)

0.01

2.2 (1.2–4.2)

0.014

 No growth

61/258 (23.6)

1

1

 Growth

6/8 (75)

6.3 (2.7–14.9)

0.000

9 (3.4–23.4)

< 0.001

  < 3

4/10 (40)

2.4 (0.9–6.7)

0.097

2.1 (0.7–6.3)

0.163

 3- < 8.3

41/211 (19.4)

2.9 (1.7–4.8)

0.000

1

  ≥ 8.3

22/43 (51.2)

1.5 (0.9–2.7)

0.154

  ≥ 90

23/144 (16)

1

1

 60- < 90

12/55 (21.8)

1.4 (0.7–2.8)

0.340

1.6 (0.8–3.3)

0.188

 30- < 60

19/46 (41.3)

3.1 (1.7–5.7)

0.000

3.2 (1.7–6.3)

0.001

  < 30

12/16 (75)

6.5 (3.2–13.1)

0.000

5.2 (2.3–11.4)

< 0.001

  ≥ 3.5

43/195 (22.1)

1

1

  < 3.5

23/(34.9)

1.7 (1–2.8)

0.046

1.3 (0.8–2.3)

0.336

  ≥ 7

55/226 (24.3)

1

  < 7

12/36 (33.3)

1.3 (0.7–2.5)

0.351