Peer-reviewed article
Population-Level Impact of Risk Factors on Stunting Among Children Under Five in Sub-Saharan Africa (2015-2022).
Handan Wand, Jayajothi Moodley, Sarita Naidoo, Vaneshree Govender ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study analyzed data from nearly 180,000 children under five across 24 sub-Saharan African countries to identify the main causes of stunting (poor growth). Stunting rates ranged from 18% to 54%, with Burundi having some of the highest rates at over 50%. The research found that lack of basic household amenities like water and sanitation was the strongest risk factor, accounting for nearly a quarter to half of all stunting cases. Maternal education, access to health insurance, and exposure to media were also important factors affecting child nutrition and growth.
Key points
- Stunting prevalence ranged from 18% to 54% across 24 sub-Saharan African countries, exceeding 50% in Burundi
- Lack of basic household amenities (water, sanitation, electricity) was the most consistent risk factor, accounting for 24%-57% of stunting cases across regions
- Limited access to mass media was associated with stunting, suggesting education and awareness play important roles
- Maternal education and health insurance access were significant risk factors, with odds ratios ranging from 1.44 to 2.24
- Socio-economic disparities are identified as key drivers of stunting in sub-Saharan Africa
Limitations
This is an observational study that identifies statistical associations but cannot establish causation or demonstrate whether interventions targeting these risk factors would successfully reduce stunting. The study does not evaluate specific nutrition or health interventions.
Abstract
AIM: To identify the correlates of stunting and investigate their population-level impacts among children under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: Data from 179 572 children under five were included from nationally representative surveys conducted across 24 sub-Saharan African countries (2015-2022). Multivariable logistic regression models and population-level impacts of risk factors were estimated to highlight their contributions to stunting prevalence across the study regions. RESULTS: Stunting prevalence ranged from 18% to 54%, with rates exceeding 50% in Burundi. Lack of basic household amenities was consistently associated with stunting, accounting for 24%-57% of cases across regions. Limited access to mass media further contributed to stunting rates, highlighting the role of education and awareness in preventing malnutrition. Maternal characteristics, such as lack of education and health insurance, were also significant risk factors, with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) ranging from 1.44 to 2.24. CONCLUSION: Socio-economic disparities are key risk factors for stunting in sub-Saharan Africa. These factors were statistically associated with a substantial proportion of stunting cases in high-prevalence regions. Targeted interventions to reduce inequalities, improve maternal education and expand essential services access are vital to achieving global nutrition targets, including the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing child stunting by 40% by 2025.