Demographic and socio-economic factors associated with stunting among children aged 0-23 months attending Sub-County Hospitals, Meru County, Kenya

Beatrice K. Mutiga; Eunice W. Njogu; Juliana N. Kiio

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252522

Authors

Beatrice K. Mutiga Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Eunice W. Njogu Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Juliana N. Kiio epartment of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20252522

Keywords:

Demographic, Socio-economic, Stunting, Children, Hospitals, Meru County

Abstract

Background: Kenya has achieved a significant reduction in the levels of stunting over the years. However, stunting prevalence remains high in Meru County (25%) compared to the national level (18%). This study has explored the demographic and socio-economic factors associated with stunting among children aged 0-23 months attending the Sub-County Hospitals, Meru County, Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study design was adopted. A total of 9 sub-county hospitals were purposively sampled. The number of study participants per each Sub- County hospital was determined proportionate to population size. A total of 318 study participants were sampled using systematic random sampling by selecting the first participant randomly and the rest at every 9th interval. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 25 software and ENA for SMART. A p value of <0.05 was statistically significant. Chi-Square test was used to establish relationships between the study variables and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals quantified the associations.

Results: Child sex (AOR=2.364; 95% CI (0.884-6.325); p=0.047), child age category (AOR=0.255; 95% CI (0.084-0.769); p=0.015) & (AOR=0.126; 95% CI (0.030-0.526); p=0.015), birth weight (AOR=10.197; 95% CI (3.327-31.252); p=0), household monthly income (AOR=5.211; 95% CI (0.793-34.262); and spouse occupation (AOR=0.094; 95% CI (0.010-0.893); p=0.040 were associated with stunting.

Conclusion: Child sex, child age, birth weight, household monthly income and spouse occupation were associated with stunting.

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