Stunting and severe stunting among children under-5 years in Nigeria: A multilevel analysis

Abstract

BackgroundStunting has been identified as one of the major proximal risk factors for poor physical and mental development of children under-5 years. Stunting predominantly occurs in the first 1000 days of life (0–23 months) and continues to the age of five. This study examines factors associated with stunting and severe stunting among children under-5 years in Nigeria.MethodsThe sample included 24,529 children aged 0–59 months from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). Height-for-age z-scores (HFAz), generated using the 2006 World Health Organisation (WHO) growth reference, were used to define stunting (HFAz < −2SD) and severe stunting (HFAz < −3SD). Multilevel logistic regression analyses that adjusted for cluster and survey weights were used to determine potential risk factors associated with stunting and severe stunting among children under-5 years in Nigeria.ResultsThe prevalence of stunting and severe stunting were 29% [95% Confidence interval (Cl): 27.4, 30.8] and 16.4% [95%Cl: 15.1, 17.8], respectively for children aged 0–23 months, and 36.7% [95%Cl: 35.1, 38.3] and 21% [95%Cl: 19.7, 22.4], respectively for children aged 0–59 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that the most consistent significant risk factors for stunting and severe stunting among children aged 0–23 months and 0–59 months are: sex of child (male), mother’s perceived birth size (small and average), household wealth index (poor and poorest households), duration of breastfeeding (more than 12 months), geopolitical zone (North East, North West, North Central) and children who were reported to having had diarrhoea in the 2 weeks prior to the survey [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for stunted children 0–23 months = 1.22 (95%Cl: 0.99, 1.49)];[AOR for stunted children 0–59 months = 1.31 (95%Cl: 1.16, 1.49)], [AOR for severely stunted children 0–23 months = 1.31 (95%Cl: 1.03, 1.67)]; [AOR for severely stunted children 0–59 months = 1.58 (95%Cl: 1.38, 1.82)].ConclusionsIn order to meet the post-2015 sustainable development goals, policy interventions to reduce stunting in Nigeria should focus on poverty alleviation as well as improving women’s nutrition, child feeding practices and household sanitation.

Risk factors for undernutrition among children 0–59 months of age in Myanmar

“…In a study using data from the DHS and national nutrition survey in South Asian countries, maternal short height (<145 cm) and lower BMI (<18.5) were associated with a 3.3‐fold and 1.6‐fold, respectively, higher risk of stunting among children 6 to 23 months of age (Kim, Mejia‐Guevara, Corsi, Aguayo, & Subramanian, ). Similar to our study result, smaller than average birth size perceived by the mother, as a proxy for low birthweight, predicted stunting or underweight in certain low‐income countries (Akombi, Agho, Hall, et al, ; Akombi, Agho, Merom, Hall, & Renzaho, ; Chirande et al, ; Tiwari, Ausman, & Agho, ).…”

“…The following 11 child characteristics were included: sex; age (0–5 months, 6–23 months, and 24–59 months); birth order (1st, 2nd–4th, or ≥5th), perceived birth size on the basis of maternal recall (average, larger than average, or smaller than average; Akombi et al, ), whether the child was breastfed within 1 hr after birth, episodes of diarrhoea/cough/fever in the past 2 weeks, vitamin A supplementation in the past 6 months, ever having taken iron pills, sprinkles syrup, or pills in the past 7 days, and having intestinal parasites in the previous 6 months.…”

Coordinating Nigeria's micronutrient deficiency control programs is necessary to prevent deficiencies and toxicity risks

“…The poor and those living in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North West and North East zones, appear to be most at risk of micronutrient deficiencies, given the lower than average coverage of micronutrient interventions among these populations. Higher prevalence of undernutrition in northern Nigeria has been repeatedly reported …”

Perbedaan Asupan Energi, Protein, Zink, dan Perkembangan pada Balita Stunting dan non Stunting

“…Penelitian di Aceh dan di China menyatakan bahwa stunting paling banyak berjenis kelamin laki-laki yaitu 50,9% 12,13 . Anak laki-laki cenderung lebih aktif secara fisik sehingga lebih banyak mengeluarkan energi untuk beraktivitas dan tidak untuk pertumbuhannya 10 . Selain itu, pada umumnya laki-laki memiliki pertumbuhan lebih cepat setelah melewati masa pubertas sedangkan pada perempuan umumnya mengalami pertumbuhan yang lebih cepat daripada lakilaki sebelum dan saat masa pubertas 14 .…”