Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in Tanzania
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 i...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00980-5 |
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| author | Edgar Elirehema Pallangyo Oliva Joseph Kimaro Nsajigwa Reuben Mwalupani George Stephen George Doris Katana Amina Suleiman Msengwa |
| author_facet | Edgar Elirehema Pallangyo Oliva Joseph Kimaro Nsajigwa Reuben Mwalupani George Stephen George Doris Katana Amina Suleiman Msengwa |
| author_sort | Edgar Elirehema Pallangyo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-39e6f8f3b0ca4d8f9f1205e8eb152a0e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-39e6f8f3b0ca4d8f9f1205e8eb152a0e2025-01-12T12:11:21ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-01-0111111110.1186/s40795-024-00980-5Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in TanzaniaEdgar Elirehema Pallangyo0Oliva Joseph Kimaro1Nsajigwa Reuben Mwalupani2George Stephen George3Doris Katana4Amina Suleiman Msengwa5Department of Statistics, University of Dar Es SalaamDepartment of Statistics, University of Dar Es SalaamDepartment of Population Studies, Institute of Rural Development PlanningDepartment of Policy Analysis and Research, Ministry of FinanceTanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC)Department of Statistics, University of Dar Es SalaamAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00980-5Risk factorsUndernutrition indicatorsMultinomial regression modelChildren aged 0–23 monthsTanzania |
| spellingShingle | Edgar Elirehema Pallangyo Oliva Joseph Kimaro Nsajigwa Reuben Mwalupani George Stephen George Doris Katana Amina Suleiman Msengwa Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in Tanzania BMC Nutrition Risk factors Undernutrition indicators Multinomial regression model Children aged 0–23 months Tanzania |
| title | Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in Tanzania |
| title_full | Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in Tanzania |
| title_fullStr | Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in Tanzania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in Tanzania |
| title_short | Cross-sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0–23 months in Tanzania |
| title_sort | cross sectional analysis of risk factors associated with the coexistence of three undernutrition indicators among children aged 0 23 months in tanzania |
| topic | Risk factors Undernutrition indicators Multinomial regression model Children aged 0–23 months Tanzania |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00980-5 |
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