Modeling the predictors of stunting in Ethiopia: analysis of 2016 Ethiopian demographic health survey data (EDHS)

Abstract

Background Despite continued efforts to address malnutrition, there is minimal reduction in the prevalence rates of stunting in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The association between nutritional and socioeconomic factors collected from a national survey in Ethiopia and stunting have not been rigorously analyzed. Therefore, this study aims to model the effect of nutritional and socioeconomic predictors using 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) data. Methods This study is a secondary data analysis of the 2016 EDHS survey, which included 7909 children aged 6 to59 months. Descriptive statistics using frequency and percentage for categorical data and mean and standard deviation for metric data were conducted. Linearity, confounding, and multicollinearity were checked. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were carried out. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. A receiver operative curve was built to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the model. Results The study identified that 39.2% of children included in this analysis were stunted. Furthermore, 76.47, 84.27, and 92.62% of the children did not consume fruits and vegetables, legumes and lentils, or meat and its products, respectively. Children aged 24 months to 59 months were found to be at 9.71 times higher risk of being stunted compared to their younger counterparts aged 6–24 months (AOR: 9.71; CI: 8.07, 11.6 children). Those children weighing below 9.1 kg were at 27.86 odds of being stunted compared to those weighing 23.3 kg and above. Moreover, mothers with a height below 150 cm (AOR: 2.01; CI: 1.76, 2.5), living in a rural area (AOR: 1.3, CI: 1.09, 1.54), and being male (AOR: 1.4; CI: 1.26, 1.56) were factors associated with stunting. The predictive ability of the model was 77%: if a pair of observations with stunted and non-stunted children were taken, the model correctly ranks 77% of such pair of observations. Conclusion The model indicates that being born male, being from a mother of short stature, living in rural areas, small child size, mother with mild anemia, father having no formal education or primary education only, having low child weight, and being 24–59 months of age increases the likelihood of stunting. On the other hand, being born of an overweight or obese mother decreases the likelihood of stunting.

Change in stunting and its associated factors among children aged less than 5 years in Ethiopia using Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey data from 2005 to 2019: a multivariate decomposition analysis

“…A mother of high stature, living in a city, having a large child size, a mother without anaemia, having a large child weight, higher agricultural productivity, and improved sanitation and childcare practices all contribute to stunting reduction. [23][24][25] Due to a lack of attention paid to these factors, existing investment levels are insufficient to sustain the progress required to accomplish these goals. 26 Effective nutrition strategies in Ethiopia, as elsewhere, necessitate targeting based on factors for change in order to maximise stunting reduction.…”

“…Stunting trends over the last two decades can be attributed to a variety of factors, including increased total consumable agricultural output, an increase in the number of health professionals, parental education, maternal nutrition, economic progress and lower diarrhoea incidence. A mother of high stature, living in a city, having a large child size, a mother without anaemia, having a large child weight, higher agricultural productivity, and improved sanitation and childcare practices all contribute to stunting reduction 23–25. Due to a lack of attention paid to these factors, existing investment levels are insufficient to sustain the progress required to accomplish these goals 26…”

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Stunting among School Age Children in Addis Ababa City, Ethiopia 2021

“…Undernutrition is a major public health issue, and stunting is a well-established public health indicator of chronic malnutrition that accurately reflects prior nutritional history as well as current environmental and socioeconomic conditions [ 5 13 ]. It’s a marker for a variety of pathological conditions linked to higher morbidity and mortality, reduced physical growth potential, decreased neurodevelopmental and cognitive function, and an increased chance of chronic disease in adulthood [ 1 ].…”

“…Poor diet and disease are the primary determinants, both of which are caused by a number of underlying factors, including household food security, maternity and child care practices, access to health services, and a healthy environment. The basic socioeconomic and political situations have an impact on these underlying elements [ 6 12 13 14 15 ].…”

Anthropometric Parameters among Children Under 6 Years with Stunting

“…In Ethiopia, evidence indicates that malnutrition affects children as early as the first 12 months of life when development stalls due to inadequate infant feeding practices (Mengesha, Vatanparast, Feng, & Petrucka, 2020). Identifying the possible determinants of chronic undernutrition is a critical step in reducing the burden of stunting to effectively achieve the Accelerated Stunting Reduction targets (Mediani, 2020).…”