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Risk factors for stunting among under-fives in Libya

Adel El Taguri1, Ibrahim Betilmal, Salah Murad Mahmud

  • 1Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, 149 rue de Sèvres, F-75743 Paris Cedex 15, France. tajoury@pediatrician.com

Public Health Nutrition
|September 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Child stunting in Libya is linked to young age, male sex, and poor living conditions. Addressing these factors is crucial for improving child nutrition and health outcomes in the region.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Stunting is a critical indicator of chronic malnutrition and poor health in children under five.
  • Libya faces significant challenges in child nutrition, necessitating identification of key risk factors for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the primary predictors of stunting in children under five years old in Libya.
  • To inform public health strategies aimed at reducing childhood stunting.

Main Methods:

  • A nationally representative, cross-sectional survey involving 4549 children under five.
  • Logistic regression analysis (bivariate and multivariate) was employed to determine risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Stunting affected 20.7% of children surveyed.
  • Key risk factors identified include young age (1-3 years), male sex, low paternal education, poor psychosocial stimulation, inadequate housing (filtered water, garbage disposal), diarrhea, and low birth weight.
  • Protective factors included older paternal age and proper water storage.

Conclusions:

  • Multilevel interventions are essential to enhance the nutritional status of Libyan children under five.
  • Targeted strategies should address identified risk groups: young children, those in the Al-Akhdar region, boys, children with less educated fathers, and those experiencing poor psychosocial stimulation or environmental conditions.
Abstract

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