Predictors of stunting in Children 0-59 Months in Chimanimani District, Manicaland: An Analytic Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Stunting is a public health problem affecting millions of children globally. Stunting has persisted in Chimanimani over the years from 35% in 2014 to 35.8% in 2018 during the National Nutrition Survey and the problem is attributed to factors such as inadequate access to food, poor feeding patterns and or low household socioeconomic status. It results in individuals having low cognition, low wages in adults and poor reproductive outcomes. This study aimed to establish the predictors of stunting in Chimanimani and its prevalence. The study followed an analytical cross sectional study design and enrolled 357 caregivers while 351 under-fives were measured for length/height. The study had 99.2% female respondents as caregivers and 0.8% males. Chimanimani has a low-birth-weight rate of 6.5%. The prevalence of stunting in children below 5years was 25.1%. A total of 72.2% boys and 77.2% girls were of normal height for age in the study. Two tailed bivariate analysis was done on all variables and age of child [rs = -0.123 (p-value= 0.021< 0.05)] had an effect on stunting. Month of first ANC visit had a small to moderate negative significant association with stunting at 0.05% confidence level (rs = -0.105, p = 0.049). Type of residence had a spearman’s correlation coefficient of -0.196 at 95% CI (p = 0.022). Household main source of income and treating of drinking of water both had a small to moderate significant correlation with stunting at 0.05 confidence level [ rs = 0.110 (p= 0.039)]. The spearman’s rho correlation coefficient (rs = -0.122) was significant at 95% CI (p= 0.023). Breastfeeding children under 2years had a small to moderate significant positive association at 0.05 confidence interval [rs = 0.125 (p= 0.125)]. Stepwise multiple regression was performed for confounding in the significant variables. On performing the ordered logistic regression, type of residence was found to have significant independent association with stunting. There is high prevalence of stunting in Chimanimani in children below the age of 5years. A multi-sectorial approach is needed to address the issue as factors range from socioeconomic factors, WASH, infant and young child feeding patterns and food security.