Predictors and factors associated with stunting among under- five-year children: a cross-sectional population-based study in Rwanda of the 2014-2015 demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

Background: Globally, stunting affects 159 million Under-five-years-old (U-5) children. Stunting affects the physical, mental, and cognitive development of children increasing the risk of suffering and death. This paper aimed to determine the predictors and factors associated with stunting among under-five children in Rwanda.Methods: We retrieved data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2014-2015 data set. A sample of 3599 U-5 eligible children with complete and valid anthropometric data was taken. Stata software was used to analyze the data extracted using a developed checklist. Descriptive statistics and Logistic regression analysis were performed to test the association between study variables.Results: Of 3599 U-5 children, 37.5% of children were stunted. The demographic characteristics: age (p< 0.001), sex (p<0.001), and place of residence (p< 0.001) and Household wealth index (p <0.001) were associated with stunting. Age, sex, and household wealth index were predictors of stunting.Conclusion: Stunting is still a burden in Rwanda. Age and sex were predictors of stunting among children under 5 years of age.Household wealth index was a predictor and significantly associated with stunting among children U-5 years in Rwanda. Investing in the interventions that target maternal and nutrition health support is imperative.Keywords: Predictors; Stunting; children; under five years; Rwanda.

Child stunting prevalence determination at sector level in Rwanda using small area estimation

“…Furthemore, it is also consistent with the research conducted by Bigirimana [ 21 ] that revealed a significant correlation between stunting and family planning, as well as household size in Rwanda. The findings of this study are also in line with earlier research that showed a higher proportion of stunted children resided in rural areas than in urban areas [ 22 – 24 ].…”

Editorial: Non-communicable diseases; sexual reproductive issues; infectious diseases and health systems challenges

“…In fact, the Ministry of Health has recently alluded to the fact that there are zero case of Ebola in the country: good news! We end the treatise with papers on childhood illnesses [70][71][72][73][74] and health systems [75][76][77]…”