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Thurstans S, Opondo C, Bailey J, Stobaugh H, Loddo F, Wrottesley SV, Seal A, Myatt M, Briend A, Garenne M, Mertens A, Wells J, Sear R, Kerac M. How age and sex affect treatment outcomes for children with severe malnutrition: A multi-country secondary data analysis. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024; 20:e13596. [PMID: 38048342 PMCID: PMC11168354 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Age and sex influence the risk of childhood wasting. We aimed to determine if wasting treatment outcomes differ by age and sex in children under 5 years, enroled in therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes. Utilising data from stage 1 of the ComPAS trial, we used logistic regression to assess the association between age, sex and wasting treatment outcomes (recovery, death, default, non-response, and transfer), modelling the likelihood of recovery versus all other outcomes. We used linear regression to calculate differences in mean length of stay (LOS) and mean daily weight gain by age and sex. Data from 6929 children from Kenya, Chad, Yemen and South Sudan was analysed. Girls in therapeutic feeding programmes were less likely to recover than boys (pooled odds ratio [OR]: 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72-0.97, p = 0.018). This association was statistically significant in Chad (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39-0.95, p = 0.030) and Yemen (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27-0.81, p = 0.006), but not in Kenya and South Sudan. Multinomial analysis, however, showed no difference in recovery between sexes. There was no difference between sexes for LOS, but older children (24-59 months) had a shorter mean LOS than younger children (6-23 months). Mean daily weight gain was consistently lower in boys compared with girls. We found few differences in wasting treatment outcomes by sex and age. The results do not indicate a need to change current programme inclusion requirements or treatment protocols on the basis of sex or age, but future research in other settings should continue to investigate the aetiology of differences in recovery and implications for treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Thurstans
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Charles Opondo
- Department of Medical StatisticsLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population HealthUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Andy Seal
- UCL Institute for Global HealthLondonUK
| | | | - André Briend
- Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health ResearchTampere University and Tampere University HospitalTampereFinland
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and SportsUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Michel Garenne
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMI RésiliencesBondyFrance
- Department of Statistics and Population StudiesUniversity of the Western CapeCape TownSouth Africa
- FERDIUniversité d'AuvergneClermont‐FerrandFrance
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Andrew Mertens
- University of California, Berkeley School of Public HealthBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jonathan Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching DepartmentUCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | - Rebecca Sear
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Marko Kerac
- Department of Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health Centre (MARCH)London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
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Sahiledengle B, Mwanri L. Determinants of aggregate anthropometric failure among children under-five years in Ethiopia: Application of multilevel mixed-effects negative binomial regression modeling. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0003305. [PMID: 38833430 PMCID: PMC11149882 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Undernutrition significantly contributes to failure to thrive in children under five, with those experiencing multiple forms of malnutrition facing the highest risks of morbidity and mortality. Conventional markers such as stunting, wasting, and underweight have received much attention but are insufficient to identify multiple types of malnutrition, prompting the development of the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) and the Composite Index of Severe Anthropometric Failure (CISAF) as an aggregate indicators. This study aimed to identify factors associated with CIAF and CISAF among Ethiopian children aged 0-59 months using data from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey. The study included a weighted sample of 5,259 children and used multilevel mixed-effects negative binomial regression modeling to identify determinants of CIAF and CISAF. The result showed higher incidence-rate ratio (IRR) of CIAF in male children (adjusted IRR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.13-1.42), children aged 12-24 months (aIRR = 2.01, 95%CI: 1.63-2.48), and 24-59 months (aIRR = 2.36, 95%CI: 1.91-2.92), those from households with multiple under-five children (aIRR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.01-1.33), poorer households (aIRR = 1.48; 95%CI: 1.02-2.15), and those who lived in houses with an earthen floor (aIRR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.03-1.82). Similarly, the factors positively associated with CISAF among children aged 0-59 months were male children (aIRR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.21-1.79), age group 6-11 months (aIRR = 2.30, 95%CI: 1.40-3.78), age group 12-24 months (aIRR = 3.76, 95%CI: 2.40-5.88), age group 25-59 months (aIRR = 4.23, 95%CI: 2.79-6.39), children from households living with two and more under-five children (aIRR = 1.27, 95%CI:1.01-1.59), and children from poorer households (aIRR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.02-3.67). Children were more likely to suffer from multiple anthropometric failures if they were: aged 6-23 months, aged 24-59 months, male sex, living in households with multiple under-five children, and living in households with poor environments. These findings underscore the need to employ a wide range of strategies to effectively intervene in multiple anthropometric failures in under-five children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biniyam Sahiledengle
- Department of Public Health, Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Bale-Goba, Ethiopia
| | - Lillian Mwanri
- Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide Campus, SA 5000, Adelaide, Australia
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Jokhu LA, Syauqy A. Determinants of concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6 to 23 mo in Indonesia. Nutrition 2024; 122:112390. [PMID: 38458063 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) in a child is a health problem that leads to detrimental effects. However, to our knowledge, there is limited research regarding the prevalence and determinants of WaSt, including in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and determinants of WaSt in children 6 to 23 mo of age. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted with data sets from the Indonesia Nutritional Status Survey (INSS). Data was collected between January and December 2021. About 15 641 children, ages 23 mo, were included. A χ2 analysis examined the association between the dependent and independent variables. A multivariate test analyzed the risk for the independent variable to the dependent, seen through the adjusted odds ratio (aOR). RESULTS The prevalence of WaSt was 2.4%. Higher odds for WaSt were seen in the following: • Boys: 2.15 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-2.68); • Children ages 12 to 23 mo 3.15 times (95% CI, 2.33-4.25); • Those with low birth weight 3.11 times (95% CI, 2.33-4.15) • Those with small birth size: 2 times (95% CI, 1.59-2.54) • Babies born from mothers >35 y of age: 1.5 times (95% CI, 1.19-1.89); • Children who experienced infection: 1.43 times (95% CI, 1.16-1.76); • Children not using the Integrated Health and Nutrition Services (Posyandu): 1.17 times (95% CI; 1.29-2.27); • Children from middle- income families:2.54 times higher odds (95% CI, 1.75-3.7); and • Children from rural areas: 1.37 times (95% CI, 1.1-1.71). CONCLUSION WaSt is associated with multiple factors in Indonesia. Hence, policymakers need to address this problem comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidya Alwina Jokhu
- Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Syauqy
- Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia.
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Kundu RN, Hossain MG, Haque MA, Mahumud RA, Pal M, Bharati P. Burden of undernutrition among under-five Bengali children and its determinants: Findings from Demographic and Health Surveys of Bangladesh and India. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301808. [PMID: 38578746 PMCID: PMC10997093 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, undernutrition is the leading cause of mortality among under-five children. Bangladesh and India were in the top ten countries in the world for under-five mortality. The aim of the study was to investigate the nutritional status of Bengali under-five children. METHODS Data on 25938 under-five children were retrieved from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18 (BDHS) and the National Family Health Survey of India 2015-16 (NFHS-4). Stunting, wasting, underweight and thinness were considered to understand the nutritional status of under-five children. Binary logistic regression was used to identify associated factors of undernutrition among children. RESULTS Over one-quarter of Bengali under-five children were found to be suffering from the problem of stunting (31.9%) and underweight (28.1%), while other nutritional indicators raised serious concern and revealed inter-country disparities. In the cases of wasting, underweight and thinness, the mean z-scores and frequency differences between Bangladesh and India were significant. The nutritional status of Bengali under-five children appeared to have improved in Bangladesh compared to India. Child undernutrition had significant relations with maternal undernutrition in both countries. Girls in Bangladesh had slightly better nutritional status than boys. In Bangladesh, lack of formal education among mothers was a leading cause of child undernutrition. Stunting and underweight coexist with low household wealth index in both counties. CONCLUSIONS The research revealed that various factors were associated with child undernutrition in Bengalis. It has been proposed that programmes promoting maternal education and nutrition, along with household wealth index be prioritised. The study recommends that the Governments of Bangladesh and India should increase the budget for health of children so as to reach the sustainable development goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramendra Nath Kundu
- Department of Anthropology, Former Senior Research Fellow (UGC-NET), West Bengal State University, West Bengal, India
| | - Md Golam Hossain
- Department of Statistics, Health Research Group, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ahshanul Haque
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rashidul Alam Mahumud
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Manoranjan Pal
- Indian Statistical Institute, Economic Research Unit, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Premananda Bharati
- Indian Statistical Institute, Biological Anthropology Unit, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Kundu RN, Gautam RK, Chatterjee A, Bharati P, Liczbińska G, Malina RM. Nutritional status of infants and young children in India across three decades: Analysis of five national family health surveys. Eur J Clin Nutr 2024:10.1038/s41430-024-01427-7. [PMID: 38467858 DOI: 10.1038/s41430-024-01427-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Three indicators of early childhood undernutrition and associated factors are evaluated among under-5 children in five National Family Health Surveys in India spanning 1992 to 2021. METHODS Data for 533,495 children under 5 years of age (U-5) were analysed in the context of three commonly used indicators of early childhood undernutrition - wasting, stunting and underweight. In addition to descriptive and inferential statistics, binary logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of specific explanatory factors on the three indicators using adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS Over the three-decade interval, stunting was reduced by 22.1% in boys and 20.9% in girls, followed by underweight, 19.3% in boys and 17.4% in girls; wasting, in contrast, was reduced to a considerably lesser extent, 2.8% in boys and 0.9% in girls. Demographic, maternal and socioeconomic factors were associated with the incidence of early childhood undernutrition, specifically among young mothers and those with less education in low-income families, and among children from Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes. Stunting and underweight declined significantly over the past three decades while wasting changed negligibly. The disparity in the occurrence of early childhood undernutrition was apparent throughout socioeconomic categories and regions of India. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight the need for special programs aimed at reducing waste among children and also the need for customized initiatives focused on the improvement of maternal education and wealth in addition to other ancillary factors related to regional variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramendra Nath Kundu
- Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University, Kolkata, 700126, West Bengal, India
| | - Rajesh K Gautam
- Department of Anthropology, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Arna Chatterjee
- Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University, Kolkata, 700126, West Bengal, India
| | - Premananda Bharati
- Biological Anthropology Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Grażyna Liczbińska
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Robert M Malina
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 78705, USA
- Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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Kimuli D, Nakaggwa F, Namuwenge N, Nsubuga RN, Kasule K, Nyakwezi S, Odong J, Isabirye P, Sevume S, Mubiru N, Mwehire D, Matovu F, Wandera B, Amuron B, Bukenya D. Prevalence and determinants of minimum dietary diversity for women of reproductive age in Uganda. BMC Nutr 2024; 10:39. [PMID: 38429646 PMCID: PMC10908097 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-024-00858-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, over a billion women of reproductive age (WRA) suffer from some kind of undernutrition micronutrient deficiencies, and/or anemia as a result of inadequate dietary diversity. This leads to poor maternal and child health outcomes, however, there is limited research on population level research on minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W). This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of MDD-W among WRA in Uganda. METHODS This study was a secondary analysis of data from the lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) survey conducted across 55 Ugandan districts between May and September 2022. Women of various ages were interviewed across 5 study subgroups that this study used to construct its study population (WRA). Descriptive analyses, tests for outcome differences, and multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression were conducted at a 5% statistical significance level using STATA version 17. The results were reported using Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) as the measure of the outcome. RESULTS The study analyzed responses from 29,802 WRA with a mean age of 27.8 (± 6.8) years. Only 8.8% (95% CI 8.5-9.3) achieved the MDD-W, the least proportion was observed in the South-Central region (3.13%). In the adjusted analysis, WRA who were older than 25 years (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.3, p < 0.001), had secondary education (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7, p = 0.003) or above (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2, p < 0.001), and used modern contraceptives (aOR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3, p = 0.01) were more likely to achieve the MDD-W. Conversely, WRA who travelled longer distances to the nearest household water source (aOR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9, p = 0.002) and those residing in larger households (aOR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.8-1.0, p = 0.019) were less likely to achieve the MDD-W. CONCLUSION A low proportion of WRA met the MDD-W. Age, education level, household sizes and use of modern contraception were predictors of MDD-W among WRA in Uganda. MDD-W-related program efforts in Uganda should strengthen multisectoral collaboration with prioritization of younger women, education, household sizes and access to safe water sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick Kimuli
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Florence Nakaggwa
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Norah Namuwenge
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca N Nsubuga
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kenneth Kasule
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sheila Nyakwezi
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound - South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jimmy Odong
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Isabirye
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Solome Sevume
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound - South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Norbert Mubiru
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound - South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Mwehire
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound - South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fatuma Matovu
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bonnie Wandera
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Barbara Amuron
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daraus Bukenya
- Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., DLH Holdings company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
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Fracassi P, Daget M, Seo S, D'Angeli R. Preventing Child Wasting in Africa's Dryland: An Exploratory Review of the Enabling Environment in 8 Sub-Saharan Countries Using a Food Systems Lens. Food Nutr Bull 2023; 44:S32-S44. [PMID: 37850929 DOI: 10.1177/03795721231188767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Persistent child wasting is evident across the Sahel and Horn of Africa, much of which is typically dryland and dependent on agropastoralism. Two events in 2021, the United Nations (UN) Food Systems Summit and the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth Summit, represented a watershed moment for the alignment of food systems and nutrition. Against this backdrop, the costed country operational roadmaps, developed in 22 countries as part of the joint UN Global Action Plan on Child Wasting (UNICEF 2021), recognized the importance of preventing child wasting using a multisectoral approach. We use a food systems lens to assess how current governance mechanisms, policies, and programming priorities in 8 sub-Saharan countries are responsive to the food security and nutritional needs of the most vulnerable people. For governance mechanisms, we draw from a narrative review of joint annual assessments conducted by the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement's national multistakeholder platforms since 2016. For policy frameworks, we analyze recommendations included in operational roadmaps and findings from the review of national multisectoral nutrition plans. For programming priorities, we analyze the typologies of costed interventions in the food and social protection systems. We present how nutrition and healthy diets were factored into national food systems pathways and how Government commitments to Nutrition for Growth integrate food systems and resilience. Results of this exploratory review suggest opportunities offered by the implementation of the country roadmaps should rely on a fundamental understanding of context-specific risks and vulnerabilities embedded in the systems and their dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Fracassi
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
| | - Morgane Daget
- Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sangmin Seo
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo D'Angeli
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
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Klein LJ, Abdullahi SU, Gambo S, Stallings VA, Acra S, Rodeghier M, DeBaun MR. Risk factors in underweight older children with sickle cell anemia: a comparison of low- to high-income countries. Blood Adv 2023; 7:6923-6930. [PMID: 37756514 PMCID: PMC10685159 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023009711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated that older children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) living in Nigeria are at increased risk of death if they are underweight (weight-for-age z score < -1). We now conducted a cross-sectional study in low- and high-income settings to determine the risk factors for being underweight a in children aged 5 to 12 years with SCA. The children from low- and high-income settings were eligible participants for the Primary Prevention of Stroke in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria (SPRING; N = 928) and the Silent Cerebral Infarct (SIT, North America/Europe; N = 1093) trials, respectively. The median age in the SPRING and SIT cohorts was 8.1 and 8.5 years, respectively (P < .001). A total of 87.9% (n = 816) of participants in the SPRING trial (low-income) met the study criteria for being underweight (weight-for-age z score < -1), and 22.7% (n = 211) for severely underweight (weight-for-age z score < -3), significantly higher than the SIT (high-income) cohort at 25.7% underweight (n = 281) and 0.7% severely underweight (n = 8; P < .001 for both comparisons). In the combined cohort, older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; P < .001) and lower hemoglobin level (OR, 0.67; P < .001) were associated with being underweight. Age and hemoglobin level remained statistically significant in separate models for the SPRING and SIT cohorts. Older age and lower hemoglobin levels in children aged 5 to 12 years with SCA are associated with being underweight in low- and high-income settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Jane Klein
- D. Brent Polk Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Shehu Umar Abdullahi
- Department of Pediatrics, Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Safiya Gambo
- Department of Pediatrics, Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Virginia A. Stallings
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sari Acra
- D. Brent Polk Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
| | | | - Michael R. DeBaun
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt-Meharry Center of Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Sahiledengle B, Mwanri L, Blumenberg C, Agho KE. Gender-specific disaggregated analysis of childhood undernutrition in Ethiopia: evidence from 2000-2016 nationwide survey. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2040. [PMID: 37853384 PMCID: PMC10585928 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16907-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Childhood undernutrition has been investigated extensively in previous literature but gender inequality detailing the burden of undernutrition has not been adequately addressed in scientific papers, especially in Ethiopia, where undernutrition is known to be a public health problem of high significance, necessitating increased efforts to address it and reduce this inequality. This study was carried out to: (1) explore gender differences in the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight, and (2) compare the factors associated with childhood undernutrition between boys and girls in Ethiopia. METHODS The study used a dataset of more than 33,564 children aged under 5 years (boys: 17,078 and girls: 16,486) who were included in the nationally representative Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) from 2000 to 2016. The outcome variables were anthropometric indices: stunting (height-for-age < -2 standard deviations), wasting (weight-for-height < -2 standard deviations), and underweight (weight-for-age < -2 standard deviations). Gender-specific multilevel analyses were used to examine and compare the factors associated with child undernutrition. RESULTS The overall prevalence of stunting (49.1% for boys vs 45.3% for girls, p < 0.001), wasting (11.9% for boys vs 9.9% for girls, p < 0.001), and underweight (33.1% for boys vs 29.8% for girls, p < 0.001) higher among boys compared to girls. Boys significantly had higher odds of stunting (aOR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.21-1.42), wasting (aOR: 1.35, 1.23-1.48), and underweight (aOR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.26-1.50) than girls. The common factors associated with childhood undernutrition for male and female children were the child's age, perceived size of the child at birth, breastfeeding status, maternal stature, maternal education, toilet facility, wealth index, and place of residence. Boys who were perceived by their mothers to be average sized at birth and were born to uneducated mothers had a higher likelihood of experiencing wasting, in contrast to girls. Among boys, birth order (firstborn), household size (1-4), and place of residence (urban) were associated with lower odds of being underweight. Boys living in cities had lower odds of being stunted. While girls born to mothers with no education and worked in agriculture were at a higher odd of being stunted. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that boys were more likely to be malnourished than girls, regardless of their age category, and there were variations in the factors determining undernutrition among boys and girls. The differences in the burden of undernutrition were significant and alarming, positioning Ethiopia to be questioned whether it will meet the set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 of zero hunger by 2030. These findings call for more effort to address malnutrition as a significant public health issue in Ethiopia, and to urgently recognise the need for enhanced interventions that address the gender gap in childhood undernutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biniyam Sahiledengle
- Department of Public Health, Madda Walabu University Goba Referral Hospital, Bale-Goba, Ethiopia.
| | - Lillian Mwanri
- Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing (PHEHF), Torrens University Australia, Adelaide Campus, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Cauane Blumenberg
- International Center for Equity in Health, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
- Causale Consultoria, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Kingsley Emwinyore Agho
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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10
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Kimuli D, Nakaggwa F, Kasule K, Kiconco I, Nyakwezi S, Sevume S, Mubiru N, Mwehire D, Katwesige JF, Nsubuga RN, Amuron B, Bukenya D, Wandera B, Namuwenge N. Level of minimum acceptable diet and its associated factors among children aged 12-23 months in Ugandan districts. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293041. [PMID: 37851649 PMCID: PMC10584160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Uganda has made notable progress in improving child nutrition indicators, albeit not fast enough to meet global targets. Navigating the landscape of child nutrition in Uganda demands attention, particularly in light of the necessity for a minimum acceptable diet (MAD) for children aged 12-23 months. While the focus on local nutritional planning is crucial, the absence of routine-specific nutritional status data creates a significant information gap. To bridge this void, this study used datasets from the 2021 Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) survey. Data were analysed using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression (clustering districts based on regional boundaries) at a 5% statistical significance level using STATA version 17. Of the 7,111 children surveyed, 3,256 (49.20%) received the minimum meal frequency, 695 (9.80%) received the minimum dietary diversity, and only 380 (5.34%) received the MAD. There was a notable variation in the proportion of children that received the MAD across regions and districts. Children living in urban areas, children whose mothers had a higher education, and children whose mothers had a diverse diet were more likely to receive the MAD. Children were less likely to receive the MAD if they lived in a household that did not receive a health worker visit within the year. These findings suggest a need to prioritize initiatives aimed at increasing dietary diversity among children in Uganda. This could be done through a variety of approaches, such as leveraging the use of home gardens to boost nutrition through diverse crop cultivation, demonstration gardens, and offering nutrition counselling through village health teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick Kimuli
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Florence Nakaggwa
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kenneth Kasule
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Immaculate Kiconco
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sheila Nyakwezi
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound—South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Solome Sevume
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound—South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nobert Mubiru
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound—South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Mwehire
- The United States Agency for International Development Uganda, US Mission Compound—South Wing, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Justine Fay Katwesige
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca N. Nsubuga
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Barbara Amuron
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daraus Bukenya
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bonnie Wandera
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Norah Namuwenge
- Social & Scientific Systems, a DLH Company / United States Agency for International Development Strategic Information Technical Support Activity, Kampala, Uganda
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11
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Roba AA, Başdaş Ö. Multilevel analysis of trends and predictors of concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6-59 months in Ethiopia from 2000 to 2019. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1073200. [PMID: 37720379 PMCID: PMC10502729 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1073200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emerging evidence indicates that children can be concurrently wasted and stunted (WaSt), increasing their mortality risk. However, more is needed to know about WaSt in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the trends and predictors of WaSt using Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey datasets from 2000 and 2019. Methods The study included a total weighted sample of 34,930 children aged 6-59 months. Descriptive and weighted multilevel mixed-effects (fixed and random effects) logistic regression analyses were carried out. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Median Odds Ratio (MOR) were calculated. Results The prevalence of WaSt was 1,682 (4.82%) with a significantly decreasing trend, yielding a percent change of -57.51% (-69.37% to -23.52%) from 2000 to 2019. In the adjusted model, the odds of WaSt increased in boys, children with a shorter preceding birth interval, small birth size, delayed initiation of complementary foods, diarrhea, fever, and anemia, mother's lack of formal education, and being a farmer, and poor/middle wealth index, and lack of mass media exposure. WaSt was inversely related to the child's age. Adjusted ICC and MOR were 31.16% and 3.20%, respectively. Conclusion and recommendations The study highlights the importance of considering individual and community-level factors to address WaSt, such as timely initiation of complementary foods, improving access to health services, quality diet, and prevention of communicable diseases. Furthermore, programs that have positive impacts on formal education and employment opportunities for girls, as well as that increase access to mass media, are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aklilu Abrham Roba
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Öznur Başdaş
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
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12
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Mertens A, Benjamin-Chung J, Colford JM, Hubbard AE, van der Laan MJ, Coyle J, Sofrygin O, Cai W, Jilek W, Rosete S, Nguyen A, Pokpongkiat NN, Djajadi S, Seth A, Jung E, Chung EO, Malenica I, Hejazi N, Li H, Hafen R, Subramoney V, Häggström J, Norman T, Christian P, Brown KH, Arnold BF. Child wasting and concurrent stunting in low- and middle-income countries. Nature 2023; 621:558-567. [PMID: 37704720 PMCID: PMC10511327 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06480-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable Development Goal 2.2-to end malnutrition by 2030-includes the elimination of child wasting, defined as a weight-for-length z-score that is more than two standard deviations below the median of the World Health Organization standards for child growth1. Prevailing methods to measure wasting rely on cross-sectional surveys that cannot measure onset, recovery and persistence-key features that inform preventive interventions and estimates of disease burden. Here we analyse 21 longitudinal cohorts and show that wasting is a highly dynamic process of onset and recovery, with incidence peaking between birth and 3 months. Many more children experience an episode of wasting at some point during their first 24 months than prevalent cases at a single point in time suggest. For example, at the age of 24 months, 5.6% of children were wasted, but by the same age (24 months), 29.2% of children had experienced at least one wasting episode and 10.0% had experienced two or more episodes. Children who were wasted before the age of 6 months had a faster recovery and shorter episodes than did children who were wasted at older ages; however, early wasting increased the risk of later growth faltering, including concurrent wasting and stunting (low length-for-age z-score), and thus increased the risk of mortality. In diverse populations with high seasonal rainfall, the population average weight-for-length z-score varied substantially (more than 0.5 z in some cohorts), with the lowest mean z-scores occurring during the rainiest months; this indicates that seasonally targeted interventions could be considered. Our results show the importance of establishing interventions to prevent wasting from birth to the age of 6 months, probably through improved maternal nutrition, to complement current programmes that focus on children aged 6-59 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Mertens
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Jade Benjamin-Chung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John M Colford
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alan E Hubbard
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mark J van der Laan
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy Coyle
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Oleg Sofrygin
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Wilson Cai
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Jilek
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sonali Rosete
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anna Nguyen
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nolan N Pokpongkiat
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Djajadi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anmol Seth
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Esther Jung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Esther O Chung
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ivana Malenica
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nima Hejazi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Haodong Li
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ryan Hafen
- Hafen Consulting, West Richland, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Thea Norman
- Quantitative Sciences, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Parul Christian
- Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth H Brown
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin F Arnold
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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13
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Sahiledengle B, Agho KE, Petrucka P, Kumie A, Beressa G, Atlaw D, Tekalegn Y, Zenbaba D, Desta F, Mwanri L. Concurrent wasting and stunting among under-five children in the context of Ethiopia: A generalised mixed-effects modelling. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2023; 19:e13483. [PMID: 36757269 PMCID: PMC10019057 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) is a condition where both wasting and stunting exist in a child at the same time. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of WaSt and to identify potential associated factors in Ethiopia. A total of 33,650 children aged between 0 and 59 months were included in the analysis from the four waves of the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to identify the determinants of WaSt. The prevalence of WaSt was found to be 4.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: (4.5-4.9)), with respectively 2.5% (95% CI: 2.1-3.1) and 4.9% (95% CI: 4.7-5.2) among children in urban and rural settings. Children: (i) in the age group 12-23 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.16, 95% CI: (3.20-5.42)) and 24-59 months (AOR: 3.08, 95% CI: (2.28-4.17)); (ii) who were perceived by their mothers to be smaller than normal at birth (AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: (1.57-2.50)); (iii) had diarrhoea (AOR: 1.38, 95% CI: (1.11-1.71)); and (iv) fever in the past 2 weeks (AOR: 1.38, 95% CI: (1.10-1.71)) reported higher odds of WaSt. Being a female child (AOR: 0.57, 95% CI: (0.48-0.69)), having received measles vaccination (AOR: 0.71, 95% CI: (0.55-0.89)), having a mother with a normal body mass index (18.5-24.9 kg/m2 ) (AOR: 0.57, 95% CI: (0.48-0.68)), having a wealthier household (AOR: 0.67, 95% CI: (0.50-0.90)), and living in rural setting (AOR: 0.49, 95% CI: (0.32-0.74)) were associated with reduced odds of WaSt. The prevalence of WaSt was high, with approximately 1 in 20 Ethiopian children suffering from the condition and needing a prompt response to minimize the poor health and developmental outcomes. Children perceived by their mother to be smaller than normal at birth, older children, and babies with diarrhoea and fever had higher odds of WaSt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biniyam Sahiledengle
- Department of Public HealthMadda Walabu University Goba Referral HospitalBale‐GobaEthiopia
| | - Kingsley E. Agho
- School of Health SciencesWestern Sydney UniversityPenrithNew South WalesAustralia
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of MedicineWestern Sydney UniversityPenrithNew South WalesAustralia
- African Vision Research InstituteUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | | | - Abera Kumie
- School of Public HealthAddis Ababa UniversityAddis AbabaEthiopia
| | - Girma Beressa
- Department of Public HealthMadda Walabu University Goba Referral HospitalBale‐GobaEthiopia
| | - Daniel Atlaw
- Department of Human AnatomyMadda Walabu University Goba Referral HospitalBale‐GobaEthiopia
| | - Yohannes Tekalegn
- Department of Public HealthMadda Walabu University Goba Referral HospitalBale‐GobaEthiopia
| | - Demisu Zenbaba
- Department of Public HealthMadda Walabu University Goba Referral HospitalBale‐GobaEthiopia
| | - Fikreab Desta
- Department of Public HealthMadda Walabu University Goba Referral HospitalBale‐GobaEthiopia
| | - Lillian Mwanri
- Torrens University AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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14
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Determinants of undernutrition among young children in Ethiopia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20945. [PMID: 36470914 PMCID: PMC9722653 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25160-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethiopia is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the highest burden of childhood undernutrition. Despite the high burden of this scourge, little is known about the magnitude and contributing determinants to anthropometric failure among children aged 0-23 months, a period regarded as the best window of opportunity for interventions against undernutrition. This study examined factors associated with undernutrition (stunting, wasting, and underweight) among Ethiopian children aged 0-23 months. This study used a total weighted sample of 2146 children aged 0-23 months from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey. The data were cleaned and weighted using STATA version 14.0. Height-for-age (HFA), weight-for-height (WFH), and weight-for-age (WFA) z-scores < - 2 SD were calculated and classified as stunted, wasting, and underweight, respectively. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models adjusted for cluster and survey weights were used. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. The overall weighted prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight respectively were 27.21% [95% CI (25.32-29.18)], 7.80% [95% CI (6.71-9.03)], and 16.44% [95% CI (14.90-18.09)] among children aged 0-23 months in Ethiopia. Female children were less likely to be associated with stunting [AOR: 0.68, 95% CI (0.54-0.86)], wasting [AOR: 0.70, 95% CI (0.51, 0.98)], and underweight [AOR: 0.64, 95% CI (0.49, 0.83)] than their male counterparts. Conversely, older children aged 12-17 months [AOR: 2.22, 95% CI (1.52, 3.23)] and 18-23 months [AOR: 4.16, 95% CI (2.75, 6.27)] were significantly at an increased odds of becoming stunted. Similarly, the likelihood of being underweight was higher in older age groups: 6-11 months [AOR: 1.74, 95% CI (1.15, 2.63)], 12-17 months [AOR: 2.13, 95% CI (1.40, 3.24)], and 18-23 months [AOR: 4.08, 95% CI (2.58, 6.44)] compared with the children younger than 6 months. Lower wealth quintile was one of the other significant determinants of stunting and underweight. The study's findings indicated that the most consistent significant risk factors for undernutrition among children aged 0-23 months are: male sex, older age groups and lower wealth quintile. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening nutrition-specific and sensitive interventions that address the immediate and underlying drivers of childhood undernutrition in early life, as well as targeting low-income households with male children, in order for Ethiopia to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1,2 and 3 by 2030.
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15
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Chekol YT, Arefaynie M, Kassa AA, Alene TD, Ngusie HS. Determinants of wasting among children aged 6-59 months in North-East Ethiopia: a community-based case-control study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057887. [PMID: 35918114 PMCID: PMC9351319 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Childhood acute malnutrition, in the form of wasting defined by Weight-for-Height Z-Scores, is a major public health concern. It is one of the main reasons for the death of children in developing countries like Ethiopia. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess determinants of wasting among children aged 6-59 months in Meket district, North Wollo zone, North-East Ethiopia. SETTING The study was conducted among communities in Meket district, North Wollo zone, North-East Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS A total of 327 (109 cases and 218 controls) children aged 6-59 months participated in the study. Children from 6 months to 59 months of age who match the definition of case/wasted/ and control/not wasted were eligible for the study. However, children who had physical deformities which make anthropometric measurements inconvenient were excluded from the study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measure was wasting. RESULT The mean ages of the cases and controls were 21.77±11.41 months and 20.13±11.39 months, respectively. Factors that were significantly associated with wasting were: maternal decision making on the use of household money (adjusted odd ratio (AOR)=3.04, 95% CI 1.08 to 7.83), complementary feeding started in a month (AOR=3.02, 95% CI 1.097 to 6.97), food diversity score (AOR=2.64, 95% CI 1.64 to 5.23), frequency of complementary feeding (AOR=6.68, 95% CI 3.6 to 11.25) and history of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) 2 weeks preceding the survey (AOR=3.21, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.86). CONCLUSION Our result implies that the right time to introduce complementary foods, the frequency of feeding and also the amount of food consumed were some of the crucial factors that needed to be changed in child nutrition to reduce wasting. Furthermore, within the framework of our study, the empowerment of women in the decision-making process and the prevention of ARI should be seen as a necessary benchmark for acute malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mastewal Arefaynie
- Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Assefa Andargie Kassa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Tilahun Dessie Alene
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Setegn Ngusie
- Department of Health Informatics, College of Health Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia
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16
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Associated Factors of Wasting among Infants and Young Children (IYC) in Kuyu District, Northern Oromia, Ethiopia. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9170322. [PMID: 35909485 PMCID: PMC9328999 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9170322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Wasting among infants and young children in underdeveloped countries including Ethiopia is one of the most serious public health issues. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the magnitude of wasting and the variables that associate with it among infants and young children in the Kuyu district of Northern Oromia, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study of 612 infants and young children aged 6-23 months was conducted. To select eligible infants and young children from each family in the Kuyu district, a multilevel sampling approach was used. The amount and determinants related to wasting were investigated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. In the study area, 14.1% of infants and young children were found to be wasting. Maternal educational status (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI; 1.01, 4.32), diarrhoea (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI; 1.98, 4.56), exclusive breastfeeding (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI, 1.4, 4.58), antenatal care visits (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI, 1.32, 3.48), and wealth index (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI; 1.07, 4.47) were significantly associated with wasting. According to the findings of this study, mother educational status, the occurrence of diarrhoea, exclusive breastfeeding, antenatal care visits, and wealth index have an impact on infants and young children's wasting. Therefore, to lower the burden of wasting among infants and young children in the study, community-based schooling and nutritional interventions are urgently needed.
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Okidi L, Ongeng D, Muliro PS, Matofari JW. Disparity in prevalence and predictors of undernutrition in children under five among agricultural, pastoral, and agro-pastoral ecological zones of Karamoja sub-region, Uganda: a cross sectional study. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:316. [PMID: 35637542 PMCID: PMC9150356 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03363-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Undernutrition accounts for nearly half of under-five child mortality in developing countries where household nutrition is largely dependent on agriculture. Despite the strong influence of agroecology on agriculture in those countries, limited information exists on whether undernutrition in children under five varies with agro-ecological location. Methods Using Karamoja sub-region of Uganda, one of the most food insecure parts of Eastern Africa as a case area, and applying a multi-stage sampling procedure, and a structured questionnaire, this study examined in a comparative manner, the prevalence and predictors of undernutrition in children under five among the agricultural, pastoral, and agro-pastoral ecological zones. Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to establish the disparity in prevalence of undernutrition and household contextual characteristics, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of undernutrition in children under five among the three agro-ecological zones. The level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting ranged from 36 to 58% but varied with agroecology in terms of the peak age ranging from 6 to 37 months. Child characteristics, feeding practices, household economic factors, sanitation factors, and caregiver characteristics that predict undernutrition among children under five were identified (p ≤ 0.05). Caregiver handwashing after using latrine (p = 0.005) and diarrhoea in a fortnight (p < 0.001) increased the likelihood of stunting in pastoral agroecology only whereas cereal storage in both sacks and granary in agro-pastoral zone was associated with reduced likelihood of both underweight (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014) and stunting (p = 0.011 and p = 0.018), respectively. A male child was more likely to be underweight and stunted in pastoral (p = 0.002 and p = 0.011) and agro-pastoral (p = 0.017 and p = 0.002) agroecology, respectively. Household expenses reduced the likelihood of both underweight and wasting in pastoral (p = 0.013 and p = 0.005) and agricultural (p = 0.011 and p = 0.021) agroecology, respectively. Flour storage duration increased the stunting likelihood in pastoral (p = 0.032) and agro-pastoral (p = 0.006) agroecologies. Conclusion This study has revealed that, in a food insecure developing country setting such as Karamoja sub-region of Uganda, undernutrition among children under five varies with agroecology. Thus, nutritional interventions in such locations should be agroecology specific. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03363-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Okidi
- Department of Dairy and Food Science and Technology, Egerton University, P.O.Box 536 - 20115, Egerton-Njoro, Kenya.,Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Gulu University, P.O.Box 166, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Duncan Ongeng
- Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Gulu University, P.O.Box 166, Gulu, Uganda.
| | - Patrick Simiyu Muliro
- Department of Dairy and Food Science and Technology, Egerton University, P.O.Box 536 - 20115, Egerton-Njoro, Kenya
| | - Joseph Wafula Matofari
- Department of Dairy and Food Science and Technology, Egerton University, P.O.Box 536 - 20115, Egerton-Njoro, Kenya
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18
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Thurstans S, Opondo C, Seal A, Wells JC, Khara T, Dolan C, Briend A, Myatt M, Garenne M, Mertens A, Sear R, Kerac M. Understanding Sex Differences in Childhood Undernutrition: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14050948. [PMID: 35267923 PMCID: PMC8912557 DOI: 10.3390/nu14050948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Complementing a recent systematic review and meta-analysis which showed that boys are more likely to be wasted, stunted, and underweight than girls, we conducted a narrative review to explore which early life mechanisms might underlie these sex differences. We addressed different themes, including maternal and newborn characteristics, immunology and endocrinology, evolutionary biology, care practices, and anthropometric indices to explore potential sources of sex differences in child undernutrition. Our review found that the evidence on why sex differences occur is limited but that a complex interaction of social, environmental, and genetic factors likely underlies these differences throughout the life cycle. Despite their bigger size at birth and during infancy, in conditions of food deprivation, boys experience more undernutrition from as early as the foetal period. Differences appear to be more pronounced in more severe presentations of undernutrition and in more socioeconomically deprived contexts. Boys are more vulnerable to infectious disease, and differing immune and endocrine systems appear to explain some of this disadvantage. Limited evidence also suggests that different sociological factors and care practices might exert influence and have the potential to exacerbate or reverse observed differences. Further research is needed to better understand sex differences in undernutrition and the implications of these for child outcomes and prevention and treatment programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Thurstans
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (R.S.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Charles Opondo
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK;
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Andrew Seal
- UCL Institute for Global Health, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Jonathan C. Wells
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK;
| | - Tanya Khara
- Emergency Nutrition Network, Oxford OX5 2DN, UK; (T.K.); (C.D.)
| | - Carmel Dolan
- Emergency Nutrition Network, Oxford OX5 2DN, UK; (T.K.); (C.D.)
| | - André Briend
- Center for Child Health Research, School of Medicine, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mark Myatt
- Brixton Health, Llwyngwril, Gwynedd LL37 2JD, Wales, UK;
| | - Michel Garenne
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMI Résiliences, 93140 Bondy, France;
- Institut Pasteur, Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, 75015 Paris, France
- Senior Fellow, FERDI, Université d’Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Andrew Mertens
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-7360, USA;
| | - Rebecca Sear
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (R.S.); (M.K.)
| | - Marko Kerac
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK; (R.S.); (M.K.)
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health Centre (MARCH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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19
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Spatial Variations and Determinants of Acute Malnutrition Among Under-Five Children in Ethiopia: Evidence from 2019 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey. Ann Glob Health 2021; 87:114. [PMID: 34900614 PMCID: PMC8622002 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: Childhood acute malnutrition, in the form of wasting defined by a severe weight loss as a result of acute food shortage and/or illness. It is a critical public health problem that needs urgent attention in developing countries, like Ethiopia. Despite its variation between localities, the risk factors and its geospatial variation were not addressed enough across the various corner of the country. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to assess spatial variation and factors associated with acute malnutrition among under-five children in Ethiopia. Methods: A total weighted sample of 4 955 under-five children were included from the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey. Getis-Ord spatial statistical tool used to identify the hot and cold spot areas of severe and acute malnutrition. A multilevel multivariable logistic regression model using was used to examine predictors of acute malnutrition. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% CI was used to declare significant determinants of acute malnutrition among children. Result: Among 4 955 under-five children, 7% of them were wasted and 1% of them were severely wasted in Ethiopia during the 2019 national demographic survey. The distribution was followed some spatial geo-locations where most parts of Somali were severely affected (RR = 1.46, P37 value <0.001), and the distribution affected few areas of Afar, Gambella, and Benishangul Gumz regions. Factors that significantly associated with childhood wasting were: gender(male)1.9 (1.3–2.7), age (above 36 months) 0.5 (0.2–0.9), wealth index(richest) 0.5 (0.2–0.8), and water source (unimproved source) 1.5 (1.0–2.3). Conclusions: Our finding implies, the distribution of childhood wasting was not random. Regions like Afar, Somali, and pocket areas in Gambella and SNNP should be considered as priority areas nutritional interventions for reducing acute malnutrition. The established socio-demographic and economic characteristics can be also used to develop strategies.
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20
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Roba AA, Assefa N, Dessie Y, Tolera A, Teji K, Elena H, Bliznashka L, Fawzi W. Prevalence and determinants of concurrent wasting and stunting and other indicators of malnutrition among children 6-59 months old in Kersa, Ethiopia. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2021; 17:e13172. [PMID: 33728748 PMCID: PMC8189198 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malnutrition is the leading cause of poor child health in Ethiopia, and progress to avert it is unacceptably slow. In addition, little is known about the magnitude and factors associated with concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with WaSt, wasting, stunting and underweight among children 6-59 months in Kersa Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Ethiopia. Data from a total of 1091 children and their parents' were analysed from a cross-sectional study. Household questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were used for data collection. Height-for-age, weight-for-height and weight-for-age indices are expressed as standard deviation units from the mean for the reference group. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with WaSt, wasting, stunting and underweight. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. The prevalence of indicators of malnutrition was WaSt (5.8%), wasting (16.8%), stunting (53.9%) and underweight (36.9%). Children aged 6-17 months had a higher odds of wasting (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-2.75) compared with those aged 36-59 months, whereas children aged 18-35 months (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.65-3.47) and 36-59 months (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.07-2.37) had higher odds of stunting compared with those aged 6-17 months. Similarly, children aged 18-35 months (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.07-2.37) and 36-59 months (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.52-3.10) had higher odds of underweight compared with children aged 6-17 months. Households that did not treat drinking water at point of use were at higher odds of WaSt (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.16-9.27) and stunting (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.31-2.85) compared with those who did treat drinking water. Boys were more likely to be WaSt, wasted, stunted and underweight. Cough was associated with WaSt, wasting and underweight. Furthermore, maternal education, maternal occupation and maternal age were significantly associated with wasting. Maternal body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m2 and maternal BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/m2 were associated with child stunting. In Kersa, the prevalence of WaSt, wasting, stunting and underweight is very high and requires urgent public health intervention. This study highlights point-of-use water treatment, maternal education, hygiene and sanitation, child health service utilization and maternal BMI as important areas to improve to target child malnutrition. Furthermore, a community-based programmatic and policy direction for early identification and management of WaSt in addition to other indicators of malnutrition is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aklilu Abrham Roba
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Nega Assefa
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Yadeta Dessie
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Abebe Tolera
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Kedir Teji
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Hemler Elena
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lilia Bliznashka
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wafaie Fawzi
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Odei Obeng-Amoako GA, Karamagi CAS, Nangendo J, Okiring J, Kiirya Y, Aryeetey R, Mupere E, Myatt M, Briend A, Kalyango JN, Wamani H. Factors associated with concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6-59 months in Karamoja, Uganda. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2020; 17:e13074. [PMID: 32830434 PMCID: PMC7729532 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Children with concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) and children with severe wasting have a similar risk of death. Existing evidence shows that wasting and stunting share similar causal pathways, but evidence on correlates of WaSt remains limited. Research on correlates of WaSt is needed to inform prevention strategies. We investigated the factors associated with WaSt in children 6–59 months in Karamoja Region, Uganda. We examined data for 33,054 children aged 6–59 months using June 2015 to July 2018 Food Security and Nutrition Assessment in Karamoja. We defined WaSt as being concurrently wasted (weight‐for‐height z‐scores <−2.0) and stunted (height‐for‐age z‐score <−2.0). We conducted multivariate mixed‐effect logistic regression to assess factors associated with WaSt. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. In multivariate analysis, being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.60–2.00]), aged 12–23 months (aOR = 2.25; 95% CI [1.85–2.74]), 36–47 months (aOR = 0.65; 95% CI [0.50–0.84]) and 48–59 months (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI [0.54–0.93]) were associated with WaSt. In addition, acute respiratory infection (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.15–1.48]), diarrhoea (aOR = 1.25; 95% CI [1.06–1.48]) and malaria/fever (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI [0.73–0.96]) episodes were associated with WaSt. WaSt was significantly associated with maternal underweight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2), short stature (height <160 cm), low mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC <23 cm) and having ≥4 live‐births. WaSt was prevalent in households without livestock (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.13–1.59]). Preventing the occurrence of WaSt through pragmatic and joint approaches are recommended. Future prospective studies on risk factors of WaSt to inform effective prevention strategies are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles Amnon Sunday Karamagi
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joanita Nangendo
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jaffer Okiring
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yerusa Kiirya
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Ezekial Mupere
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mark Myatt
- Brixton Health, Llawryglyn, Powys, Wales, UK
| | - André Briend
- School of Medicine, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joan Nakayaga Kalyango
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Henry Wamani
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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