A high prevalence of stunting was observed among under-five Children: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: In low-income countries, stunting remains a major public health problem. It contributes to 50% of all morbidity and mortality of under-five children and results in diminished mental and physical development.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of stunting and identify the key socio-demographic, clinical, and environmental factors that associated with stunting among children aged 6-59 months in Pawie District, Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1^st to April 1^st, 2019 among 841 children aged 6-59 months. An anthropometric measurement was taken for all children to determine their nutritional status, but demographic, clinical, and associated factor data were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the mother of the child using a structured questionnaire. Before analysis, the data was cleaned thoroughly to check for completeness. Then, enter into Epi Info version 7 and export to SPSS v25 for analyses. Frequencies mean, SD, percentage, and cross-tabulations were used to summarize the descriptive statistics of the data. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression was employed to identify the associated factors of stunting. Lastly, results were presented using tables, charts, graphs, and result statements.

Results: A total of 841 respondents were included in this study, with a 99% response rate. The prevalence of stunting among children aged 6-59 months was 37.2% (95% CI: 33.9-40.4). Of these, half (50.1%) were female. Child age (AOR =1.988 [95% CI: 1.140, 3.465]), maternal education (AOR = 5.164 [95% CI: 1.207, 22.099]), maternal occupation (AOR: 4.975 [95% CI: 1.720, 14.385]), episodes of malaria (AOR = 1.900 [95% CI: 1.262, 2.862]), colostrum feeding (AOR = 2.519 [95% CI: 1.310, 4.846]), and meal frequency (AOR = 1.857 [95% CI: 1.084,3.179]) were factors significantly associated with stunting.

Conclusions: In this study, a relatively high prevalence of stunting and many factors associated with it were observed. Therefore, confirming food security at the household level and creating awareness among mothers and guardians are the best methods to reverse under-5 stunting.