Peer-reviewed article
Childhood stunting severity level and associated factors among under-five children in Tanzania: a multi-level ordinal logistic regression analysis using 2022 Tanzanian demographic and health survey.
Gizachew Ambaw Kassie, Yordanos Sisay Asgedom ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined childhood stunting among under-five children in Tanzania using data from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey. Nearly 30% of Tanzanian children under five are stunted, with 22% moderately stunted and 9% severely stunted. Male children, those aged 6-23 months, children from low-income households, those with poorly educated mothers, and children in high-poverty regions face higher risk of severe stunting. The research identifies key determinants including household income, maternal education, and geographic location as factors associated with stunting severity.
Key points
- Stunting prevalence among Tanzanian under-5 children was 29.66%, with 22.16% moderately stunted and 8.67% severely stunted
- Male children and those aged 6-23 months are more likely to experience severe stunting
- Children from low- or middle-income households face higher stunting risk
- Maternal education level is significantly associated with stunting severity
- Geographic location matters: southern and southwestern highland regions show higher severe stunting rates
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional analysis of secondary survey data, which cannot establish causality or the direction of relationships between factors and stunting. The study identifies associations but cannot determine whether identified factors are causes or consequences of stunting.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Childhood stunting is a significant public health challenge in Tanzania, affecting over one-third of the children. It has long-term consequences for growth, development, and the overall health status. The high prevalence of stunting in Tanzania necessitates an understanding of its severity levels and determinants. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the varying severity levels of stunting and its associated factors among under-5 children in Tanzania, using data from the Demographic and Health Survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study utilizing secondary data from Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2022 was employed. A weighted sample of 4,866 children under-5 years of age was included in the analysis. A multilevel ordinal logistic regression model was employed to account for the ordinal nature of stunting and hierarchical structure of the TDHS data. The Brant test was used to assess whether the proportional odds assumption was met, with a p-value greater than 0.05 indicating that the assumption was satisfied. The deviance measure was used to compare the fitness of the different models. A multilevel proportional odds model was used to investigate the impact of risk factors contributing to stunting. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting among Tanzanian under-5 children was 29.66%. Of these, 22.16% were moderately stunted, and 8.67% were severely stunted. Being Male, children aged 6-23 months, those born as part of multiple births, children from low- or middle-income households, those whose mothers have no formal or only primary education, and those living in areas with high poverty rates, children residing in the southern and southwestern highland administrative regions are more likely to experience severe stunting. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that stunting among under-5 children in Tanzania remains a significant public health concern. By addressing these determinants, such as ensuring access to proper nutrition, improving maternal education, and promoting community awareness, Tanzania can make significant strides toward reducing the burden of stunting and improving the health and well-being of children under-5 years of age. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.