Prevalence and determinants of stunting among preschool and school-going children in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan

Abstract

Stunting is a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the prevalence of stunting and associated risk factors of stunting among preschool and school-going children in flood-affected areas of Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted by visiting 656 households through multi-stage sampling. Respondent’s anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic information and sanitation facilities were explored. A logistic regression model was used to determine determinants of stunting, controlling for all possible confounders. The overall prevalence of stunting in children was 40.5%, among children 36.1% boys and 46.3% of girls were stunted. The prevalence of stunting in under-five children was 50.7%. Female children (OR=1.35, 95% CI:0.94-2.0), children aged 13-24 months (OR=6.5, 95% CI: 3.0-13.9), mothers aged 15-24 years (OR=4.4, 95% CI: 2.6-7.2), joint family (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0) did not have access to improved drinking water (OR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.9-5.9), and the toilet facility (OR=2.8, 95% CI, 1.9-4.3), while the children from district Nowshera (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 0.9-3.2) were significantly (P<0.05) associated in univariate analysis. The regression model revealed that child age, maternal age, family type, quality of water, and toilet facility, were the significant (P<0.05) factors contributing to child stunting in the flood-hit areas. Identification of key factors might be helpful for policymakers in designing comprehensive community-based programs for the reduction of stunting in flood-affected areas. In disasters such as flood, the detrimental consequences of the stunting problem could be even more on children. Evidence-based education and care must be provided to the families in the flood-affected regions to reduce the stunting problem. The determinants of stunting should be targeted by making comprehensive policies regarding proper nutrition, livelihood, clean water, and sanitation facilities in flood-hit regions.

Dietary Diversity, Household Food Insecurity and Stunting among Children Aged 12 to 59 Months in N’Djamena—Chad

“…This study’s stunting rate was lower than the 27.1% found in the Asia–Pacific region in 2021 [ 29 ]. This prevalence is also lower than that of studies carried out in Thailand, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, which found 38%, 50.7%, 32.48%, 37.6%, 52.8%, 37.5%, 32.8% and 38%, respectively [ 14 , 16 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. However, our results were superior to those of other studies conducted in Vietnam, Mali, Benin, Senegal, and China, which found 25%, 14.1%, 24.2%, 16.6%, and 20.7%, respectively [ 13 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ].…”

Devastating flood emergency in Pakistan- a recent threat to country's health care system

“…A study concludes that flood negatively impacts mid-class-based children under five leading to malnutrition [ 9 ]. Being consistent with the findings of previous study, another study reports that the prevalence of malnutrition (50.7%) was substantially higher in flood affected areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa among children under 5 years of age [ 10 ].…”

Pengaruh Intervensi Gizi Sensitif terhadap Kejadian Stunting pada Balita Usia 6-24 Bulan selama Pandemi Covid-19

“…Sebagaimana penelitian di Rwanda 28 , ibu yang berusia 25-34 tahun berisiko tinggi memiliki balita stunting. Penelitian lain juga menunjukkan bahwa stunting lebih tinggi pada usia ibu yang lebih muda di Pakistan 29 , Amerika Serikat 30 , dan Tanzania 31 . Sementara ibu dengan kelompok usia 25-34 tahun 32 dan di atas 35 tahun 32,33 ditemukan lebih rendah memiliki balita stunting.…”

“…Proporsi balita stunting sedikit lebih tinggi pada keluarga besar (Tabel 1). Keluarga besar lebih meningkatkan risiko terjadinya stunting 29,36,40,59 . Kelangkaan sumber daya seperti jumlah dan mutu pangan rendah 40,48,76 , persaingan mengakses makanan 40 , dan kurangnya pelayanan kesehatan lebih banyak ditemukan pada keluarga dengan jumlah anggota besar 48,75,76 .…”

“…Namun, masih terdapat sekitar 21,6% balita stunting memiliki akses air bersih yang tidak memadai. Tidak memiliki akses air bersih berisiko tinggi mengalami stunting 29,37,62,75 . Hal ini dikaitkan dengan peningkatan penyebaran penyakit melalui air 33 dan kemungkinan paparan penyakit infeksi 62,75,76 .…”