International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 7 authors, 2 centres
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A cross-sectional study of 817 mother-child dyads from poor Rwandan households found a stunting prevalence of 34.1% among children aged 6-23 months. Key associated factors included child age, maternal experience of physical violence, parental employment, handwashing practices, and household vegetable garden ownership.
This study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of stunting in a vulnerable population. The background highlights that stunting remains a major global public health issue, particularly in developing countries like Rwanda, where the rate was 33.1% for children under five. The study aimed to fill a research gap by focusing specifically on poor households. Methods included a cross-sectional survey of 817 mother-child dyads from five districts. Stunting was measured using WHO standards. Key results showed a prevalence of 34.1%. Multivariate analysis identified several correlates. Children aged 19-23 months (AOR=4.410, p=0.01) and 13-18 months (AOR=2.788, p=0.08) had higher odds of stunting compared to 6-12 month-olds. Households without a vegetable garden (AOR=2.165, p<0.01) were associated with increased stunting risk. Conversely, mothers not exposed to physical violence (AOR=0.145, p<0.001), fathers being employed (AOR=0.036, p=0.001), both parents working (AOR=0.208, p=0.029), and good maternal handwashing practices (AOR=0.181, p<0.001) were associated with reduced risk. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, which prevents causal inferences, reliance on self-reported data, and potential bias from the poverty classification method. The implications suggest that interventions to reduce stunting should integrate intimate partner violence prevention, employment support, hygiene promotion, and agricultural programs.
