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Maternal anemia and baby birth size mediate the association between short birth interval and under-five

Desalegn Markos Shifti1,2, Catherine Chojenta3, Elizabeth G Holliday4

  • 1Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. desalegnmarkos@gmail.com.

BMC Pediatrics
|March 1, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Short birth intervals (less than 33 months) are linked to increased stunting and underweight in Ethiopian children. Maternal anemia and small birth size partially mediate these effects, highlighting key areas for intervention to reduce under-five undernutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Maternal Health

Background:

  • Inconclusive evidence exists on the association between short birth intervals and under-five undernutrition.
  • Short birth interval is defined as a birth-to-birth interval of less than 33 months.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between short birth interval and stunting, underweight, and wasting in Ethiopian children under five.
  • To examine the potential mediating roles of maternal anemia and baby birth size in these associations.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS).
  • Employed Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) to analyze associations and mediation effects.
  • Outcome variables included stunting, underweight, and wasting among children under five.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between short birth interval and stunting (AOR=1.49) and underweight (AOR=1.43).
  • No significant association was observed between short birth interval and wasting (AOR=1.05).
  • Maternal anemia and baby birth size significantly mediated the effects of short birth interval on stunting and underweight, accounting for 4.2% and 4.6% of the total effect, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal anemia and small baby birth size are significant mediators in the link between short birth intervals and under-five undernutrition.
  • Interventions to reduce under-five undernutrition in Ethiopia should address short birth intervals, maternal anemia, and small baby birth size.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnemiaBaby birth sizeEthiopiaGSEMMediation analysisShort birth intervalStuntingUndernutritionUnderweightWasting

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