Spatiotemporal Trends in Stunting Prevalence Among Children Aged Two Years Old in Rwanda (2020-2024): A Retrospective
Seleman Ntawuyirushintege1,2,3, Ayman Ahmed4,5, Georges Bucyibaruta6
1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali 4285, Rwanda.
Nutrients
|September 13, 2025
Summary
Child stunting in Rwanda significantly decreased by 34.4% between 2020-2024. However, persistent geographical disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions to eliminate child stunting in lagging regions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Stunting is a critical public health issue affecting child development in low- and middle-income countries.
- Rwanda faces significant challenges with stunting prevalence among children under two years of age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spatiotemporal trends in stunting prevalence from 2020 to 2024 at the sector level in Rwanda.
- To identify geographical disparities and temporal changes in child stunting.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal models.
- Analyzed national surveillance data from 2020 to 2024.
- Accounted for spatial structure, temporal correlations, and interactions.
Main Results:
- National stunting prevalence decreased from 33.1% to 21.7% (34.4% change) between 2020 and 2024.
- Kamonyi, Nyarugenge, and Ngoma districts achieved >70% reduction in stunting.
- Several sectors reached stunting levels below the national target of 19% by 2024.
Conclusions:
- Significant geographical differences in stunting prevalence persist despite national progress.
- Targeted, decentralized interventions are crucial for mitigating stunting in lagging areas.
- Eliminating child stunting requires addressing persistent regional inequalities.
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