Correlates and spatial distribution of the co-occurrence of childhood anaemia and stunting in Ghana

Abstract

Childhood anaemia and stunting are major public health concerns in Ghana. Using the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, we evaluated whether childhood anaemia (Haemoglobin concentration < 110 g/L) and stunting (height-for-age z score < −2) co-occur beyond what is expected in Ghana, and employed spatial analysis techniques to determine if their co-occurrence is spatially correlated. There was no statistically significant difference between the observed and expected frequency of co-occurrence. Among 24–35 month and 36–59-month-old children, belonging to a high wealth household compared to low wealth household was associated with lower odds of the co-occurrence of childhood anaemia and stunting (OR, 95% CI: 0.3[0.1, 0.8] and 0.2[0.1, 0.5], respectively). Children aged 6–23 months with caregivers who had formerly been in union compared to their counterparts with caregivers who have never been in union had higher odds of co-occurrence of anaemia and stunting (5.1, [1.1, 24.3]). Overall, households with high wealth and having a mother with secondary or more education were associated with lower odds of the co-occurrence of childhood anaemia and stunting (OR, 95% CI: 0.4[0.2, 0.8] and 0.5[0.3, 0.9], respectively). There was substantial spatial clustering of co-occurrence, particularly in the northern region of the country. Interventions purposed to improve linear growth and anaemia must identify the specific factors or context which contribute to childhood anaemia and stunting.

Sex of household head and other household determinants of childhood anaemia among households in Ghana: regression analysis of the 2019 Malaria Indicator Survey

“…The study further found a high risk of anaemia among children living in the poorest, poorer and middle households compared to the richest household wealth index. The findings of this study are consistent with the findings of previous studies in Ghana [ 32 , 33 ], sub-Saharan African countries [ 30 ], Malawi [ 16 ], Guinea [ 34 ] and India [ 35 ]. The likely explanation for this phenomenon is the assumption that poorer household heads in economically disadvantaged countries are economically stressed and nutritionally vulnerable to a greater extent than richer households.…”

Spatiotemporal clustering and correlates of childhood stunting in Ghana: Analysis of the fixed and nonlinear associative effects of socio-demographic and socio-ecological factors

“…These studies show that economic and environmental factors including economic inequalities at the household level, maternal educational and occupational status, household hygiene, rural-urban residence, and access to health care services, are associated with childhood stunting in Ghana [ 10 – 15 ]. Additionally, demographic factors such as maternal and child age, sex, birth interval, parity, marital status, and the number of household members, among others, are also associated with childhood stunting [ 11 , 16 – 18 ]. Nonetheless, the associative effects of the socio-ecological covariates which operate at the community level have not been systematically studied.…”

“…This is an indication that despite the decline, stunting continues to affect the lives of many children in the country [9]. Given the high level of childhood stunting in Ghana, both small-and large-scale studies have examined its socio-demographic determinants [10][11][12][13][14][15]. These studies show that economic and environmental factors including economic inequalities at the household level, maternal educational and occupational status, household hygiene, rural-urban residence, and access to health care services, are associated with childhood stunting in Ghana [10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…Given the high level of childhood stunting in Ghana, both small-and large-scale studies have examined its socio-demographic determinants [10][11][12][13][14][15]. These studies show that economic and environmental factors including economic inequalities at the household level, maternal educational and occupational status, household hygiene, rural-urban residence, and access to health care services, are associated with childhood stunting in Ghana [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Additionally, demographic factors such as maternal and child age, sex, birth interval, parity, marital status, and the number of household members, among others, are also associated with childhood stunting [11,[16][17][18].…”

Gestational Age, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Attitude Complementary Foods Associated with Stunting Infants

“…Globally, approximately 159 million children under 5 years are stunted, with more than 90% of them living in low-and middle-income countries (9). Worldwide, nearly 200 million children under the age of 5 are stunted, underweight, or a mixture of both (10).…”