Peer-reviewed article
Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0-23 months in Tanzania.
Edgar Elirehema Pallangyo, Oliva Joseph Kimaro, Nsajigwa Reuben Mwalupani, George Stephen George, Doris Katana et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study analyzed data from over 2,000 Tanzanian children aged 0-23 months to identify risk factors for the simultaneous occurrence of stunting, wasting, and underweight. Children aged 12-23 months had significantly higher risk of experiencing all three forms of undernutrition at the same time. Birth weight, size at birth, birth order, and maternal education were identified as important factors. The findings suggest interventions should focus on older infants and address maternal education to prevent malnutrition.
Key points
- Children aged 12-17 months had 8.3 times higher risk of coexisting undernutrition, and those aged 18-23 months had 12.9 times higher risk
- Low birth weight and average birth size were protective factors against coexisting undernutrition
- Higher birth order (2nd-4th and 5th child) was protective against the coexistence of all three undernutrition indicators
- Maternal education was identified as a significant risk factor
- Study used data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey covering 2,158 children
Limitations
As a cross-sectional analysis, this study cannot establish causation or temporal relationships between risk factors and undernutrition outcomes. The analysis focuses on associations at a single point in time and cannot account for changes in maternal or child circumstances over the critical 0-23 month period.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Undernutrition in children under two years is a persistent challenge in Tanzania. This study investigates demographic, maternal, and child-related factors associated with stunting, wasting, and underweight coexistence. METHODS: Secondary data from 2,158 children aged 0-23 months in the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) were analyzed. Risk factors assessed included child age, birth weight, size at birth, birth order, and maternal education. Multinomial regression analysis was conducted to determine associations. RESULTS: The risk of coexisting undernutrition was significantly higher among children aged 12-17 months (RRR = 8.297, 95% CI = 1.768-38.931, p = 0.007) and 18-23 months (RRR = 12.860, 95% CI = 2.661-62.152, p = 0.001). Protective factors included birth weight < 2,501 g (RRR = 0.211, 95% CI = 0.056-0.783, p = 0.02), average size at birth (RRR = 0.262, 95% CI = 0.076-0.908, p = 0.035), and higher birth order (2nd-4th: RRR = 0.372, p = 0.023; 5th: RRR = 0.340, p = 0.048). Maternal education emerged as a significant risk factor (RRR = 1.327, 95% CI = 1.128-6.841, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study highlights critical risk factors, including maternal education, child age, and birth characteristics, for the coexistence of stunting, wasting, and underweight. Interventions should target the 12-23-month age group and address maternal education to eradicate child malnutrition in Tanzania.