The prevalence and socio-demographic risk factors of coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under five years in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Childhood malnutrition in all its forms is a significant public health challenge for developing countries like Bangladesh. There is a gap in knowledge of the coexistence of various forms of malnutrition among children under five years (under-5) in Bangladesh. This study aims (i) describe prevalence and risk factors for the coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under-5 in Bangladesh. Methods This study included 6,610 and 7,357 under-5 children from Bangladesh Demographic Health Surveys (BDHS) 2014 and 2017/18 respectively. Associations between coexistence stunting, wasting and underweight and socio-demographic factors were assessed by the Chi-square test and negative binomial regression. Results The prevalence of coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight gradually declined from 5.2% in 2014 to 2.7% in 2017/18. Children of uneducated mothers ((Adjused incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 5.0, 95% CI 2.3, 11.0)); with low birth weights (aIRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4, 5.1); children of age group 36–47 months (aIRR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5, 4.1); and children of underweight mothers (aIRR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.7) were the most important risk factors. However, maternal educational status was not associated with coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under-5 in 2014 whereas in 2017/18 it was the most influential risk factor. Moreover, watching television less than once a week increased the risk of coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight by 54% (aIRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.0, 2.4). Conclusions one out of thirty-five under-5 children were identified to have coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight in Bangladesh. The burden of malnutrition was disproportionate among uneducated mother, underweight mother, low birth weight and socio-economically poorest household. Our study indicates that there is a need for multi-level interventions from household level to societal level to reduce consequences of childhood malnutrition.

Parental Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Stunted Children below 5 Years of Age in Kampar Indonesia

“…The study showed that prevalence of stunting children was more common among male than female children but statistically was not significant. This founding similar to other studies that documented boys more common than girls in the prevalence of stunted children [12], [13], [14]. To date, it is unclear what social or biological reason might account for this difference [14].…”

“…This means that the coexistence of stunting, wasting, and underweight in our subject participants already exists. Studies in Bangladesh found that one in thirty-five children had coexisted with stunting, wasting, and underweight [13].…”

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

“…Dalam penelitian lain, stunting ditemukan lebih tinggi pada kelompok usia lebih tua yaitu 24-35 bulan di Uganda 66 , Bangladesh 67 , Nigeria 68 , dan Tanzania 69 . Bahkan, penelitian di Afrika Timur 32 , dan Bangladesh 67,70,71 , kejadian stunting lebih banyak terjadi pada kelompok usia 36-47 bulan.…”