Peer-reviewed article
Exploring the Association Between Household Toilet Facility Type and Chronic Malnutrition in Children Under 5 years in Ghana's Northern Zone.
Dorzie JBK, Chirawurah D, Boah M, Apanga S ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined the relationship between household toilet facilities and stunting (chronic malnutrition) in children under 5 in northern Ghana. Researchers measured 40.5% of households had improved toilets, 16.4% used unimproved facilities, and 43.1% practiced open defecation. Children from households practicing open defecation were more than twice as likely to be stunted compared to those with improved sanitation. Male sex, low birth weight, and lower maternal education were also associated with stunting.
Key points
- 28.5% of children under 5 in the study area were stunted
- 43.1% of households practiced open defecation while only 40.5% had access to improved toilet facilities
- Children from households with open defecation had 2.26 times higher odds of stunting than those with improved sanitation (95% CI: 1.21-4.02)
- Male sex, low birth weight, and lower maternal education were significant risk factors for stunting
- Integrated strategies addressing sanitation, maternal education, and nutrition are recommended
Limitations
This cross-sectional study cannot establish causation, only association, and findings are specific to the Bolgatanga Municipality in northern Ghana, which may not generalise to other regions of Ghana or beyond.
Abstract
Childhood stunting is a global public health concern that affects millions of children worldwide. This study assessed the association between household latrine access type and childhood stunting in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Northern Ghana. A cross-sectional study was carried out in health facilities in the study area. Data collection consisted of mother-child pairs with children aged 0 to 59 months. The outcome variable was stunting, while the main exposure variable was household sanitation facility type and other covariates. Bivariable and Multivariable analyses were used to determine factors associated with stunting. Key findings of the study included, 40.5% having access to improved toilet facilities, 16.4% using unimproved facilities, and 43.1% practicing open defecation. Prevalence of stunting was 28.5% (95% CI: 23.9-33.1). Children from households practicing open defecation had more than twice the odds of being stunted compared to those with access to improved sanitation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.21-4.02). Male sex, low birth weight, and lower maternal education also emerged as significant risk factors. Our findings highlight the need for integrated public health strategies that address poor sanitation, promote maternal education, and support the nutritional needs of vulnerable children to reduce stunting in similar settings.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Access to improved household toilet facilities (versus open defecation or unimproved facilities)
- Population
- Mother-child pairs with children aged 0 to 59 months in the Bolgatanga Municipality of Northern Ghana
Key finding
Children from households practicing open defecation had adjusted odds ratio of 2.26 (95% CI: 1.21-4.02) for stunting compared to those with improved sanitation
JBK et al. · Europe PMC · 22 Jan 2026