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Prevalence and Predictors of Stunting in Children Under Five Years of Age

Saadia Rafique1, Saira Afzal1

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|May 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Childhood stunting affects nearly 40% of children under five globally. Key predictors include maternal education, socioeconomic status, breastfeeding, and birth weight, highlighting areas for intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Childhood stunting is a critical global health issue, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
  • Affecting children under five years of age, stunting has long-term health and developmental consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and analyze the prevalence of stunting in children under five.
  • To identify and analyze the key predictors associated with childhood stunting.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PRISMA guidelines.
  • Searched databases (Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.) for studies published between 1996 and March 2022.
  • A random-effect model was used to pool prevalence data and identify significant predictors.

Main Results:

  • The overall pooled prevalence of stunting in children under five was 39.11% (95% CI: 33.017 to 45.394).
  • Significant heterogeneity was observed among the included studies (I2 = 99.39%, p <0.0001).
  • The most frequent predictors identified were maternal education (85%), socioeconomic status (64%), breastfeeding (55%), and child's birth weight (40%).

Conclusions:

  • Childhood stunting remains highly prevalent globally, necessitating targeted public health interventions.
  • Maternal education, socioeconomic factors, breastfeeding practices, and birth weight are crucial modifiable predictors of stunting.
  • Further research and policy development focusing on these predictors are essential to combat childhood stunting.

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