A comparative analysis of determinants of low birth weight and stunting among under five children of adolescent and non-adolescent mothers using 2015/16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS)

Abstract

Background Tanzania is one of the Sub-Saharan African country with nearly 12 out of 60 million people being adolescent. The prevalence of child marriage is higher with one out of every three girls being married before reaching their 18th birthday, 5 % being married by the age of 15, and 31% by the age of 18 years. Literature shows early pregnancy is associated with Low Birth Weight (LBW) and stunting among children under 5 years. This paper explores variation and factors associated with low birth weight and stunting among children born by adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. Methods Data from 13,266 women with children under 5 years collected as part of the 2015/2016 TDHS was re-analyzed using STATA version 14 software while accounting for survey design. A total of 6385 women (of which 7.2% were adolescent) and 8852 women (of which 6.7% were adolescent) were involved in the analysis of child birth weight and stunting respectively. Descriptive statistics stratified by maternal age was conducted with LBW and stunting as outcome variables followed by logistic regressions models controlling for confounding variables. Results The proportion of obese or overweight adolescent and non-adolescent mothers was 11.8 and 36.5% respectively. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance, areas of residence and social economic status were very similar in the two maternal age groups. Non- adolescent mothers had reduced odds of giving birth to LBW babies compared to adolescent mothers (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.22–0.50). Maternal undernutrition (AOR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.43–3.67), being divorced, separated or widowed (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.24–2.50) and having at least four ANC visits (AOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49–0.83) were significantly associated with reduced odds of having a LBW. Child stunting was not associated with maternal age. Maternal high socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.57–0.84) and maternal obesity or overweight (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64–0.92) were negatively associated with stunting. Child birth weight, sex, and age were significantly associated with stunting. Conclusion Maternal age was a predictor of LBW but not stunting. ANC attendance and not living with a spouse increase the risk of LBW babies. Stunting was associated with low maternal body mass index (BMI), low socioeconomic status, child birth weight, gender, and age. A multi-sectoral approach is needed to address child nutrition problems with teenagers ‘specific intervention that offer emotional support, and health education during pregnancies for improving immediate and later life child birth outcomes.

Correlation between Low Birthweight and Underweight in Children Under Five: A Meta-Analysis

“…addition, the prevalence of low birth weight is currently 15.5 percent, each year being a major public health problem (Guruge et al, 2017). The results of this study are also in line with a study conducted by Mtongwa et al (2021) that states infants born with low birthweight have twice as high chance of stunting. Low birthweight may cause stunting because infants born with low birthweight experience intrauterine growth retardation, which can last until the subsequent ages after birth and cause slower growth and development than infants born with normal birthweight and often result in inadequate growth for their age (Novianti et al, 2020).…”

Correlation between Low Birth Weigth and Stunting in Children Under Five: Meta Analysis

“…In addition, the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) is currently 15.5 percent, making it a major public health problem per year (Guruge et al, 2017). The results of this study are also in line with research conducted by Mtongwa et al (2021) where babies born with low birth weight have twice the chance of experiencing stunting. LBW can cause stunting because babies born with LBW have intrauterine growth retardation, which can last until the next age after birth and cause slower growth and development than babies born normally and often result in a growth rate that is less than what should be achieved at the age of 15. after birth (Novianti et al, 2020).…”

Maternal Age Correlates with Stunting in Children: Systematics Review

“…The incidence of stunting in adolescent mothers compared to non-adolescent mothers in Tanzania was 30.6% and 34.2%. (Mtongwa et al, 2021). In Burundi the prevalence of stunting in children was 53% (Yiga, 2021).…”