Determinants of Stunting in Children Under Five Years: A Case Study of Nyagatare District, Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Stunting is an indicator of chronic malnutrition. It is highly prevalent in Rwanda and negatively impacts children's survival and overall growth development.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the determinants of stunting among children under five years in Nyagatare District, Rwanda.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2021 involving 253 households with mothers of children under five years of age. The data were collected using structured questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements were taken for both children and mothers. The analyses were performed using WHO Anthro Survey Analyser and SPSS version 21. Findings were reported through frequency tables, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression.

Results: The study found that 19.1% of the children were stunted, and 7.2% severely stunted. Bivariate analysis revealed that, lower level of the mother's education was associated with stunting (p=0.025). Logistic regression analysis indicated that children whose mothers had no education had higher odds of being stunted (OR=3.6, 95%CI: 1.3-9.9, p=0.012) compared to the mothers attained secondary education. Likewise, those whose mothers had primary education had higher odds of stunting (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 0.9-3.3) than those with secondary education.

Conclusion: The prevalence of stunting in Nyagatare District remains a concern. Preventing childhood stunting in this rural area, efforts should focus on improving mothers' education.

Keywords: Anthropometry; Malnutrition; Risk Factors; Stunting; Undernutrition.