Determinants and Trends of Stunting Among Under-Five Children in Ethiopia
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2018-06-04
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Abstract
DETERMINANTS AND TRENDS OF STUNTING AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA
ABDISA JURA
ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY, 2018
Child stunting is one of the most critical issues at global level. It is the most prevalent form of child malnutrition, affecting millions of children globally. It is a scourge that has early beginnings and far-reaching consequences. Stunted children have stunted brains and live stunted lives, hampering the development of entire societies. The irreversible physical and neuron-cognitive damage that accompanies stunted growth poses a major threat to human development. The main objective of this study was to examine the trends and identify determinants of stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia using the four Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data (2000, 2005, 2011 & 2016). The statistical methods of data analysis were profile Analysis, binary logistic regression and multilevel logistic regression model. The analysis result revealed that the prevalence rate of stunting among under-five children declined from 71.5% to 38.3% from 2000 to 2016. For the 2000 survey year, region, place of residence, parental education level, source of drinking water, number of children in the family, current contraceptive method, parental occupation, birth order of a child, sex, had cough in last two weeks before survey and age of a child were found to be significant determinants of child stunting whereas whether the child had fever in last two weeks before survey was not significant. Marital status, birth order of a child and had cough in last two weeks before survey were found to be not significant for the 2005 survey years among all included variables whereas all included variables were found to be significant for the 2011 and 2016 survey years. This indicates that the determinants of child stunting were not consistent over time. This study revealed that child stunting has approximately declined over time even though the decrement is not fast enough. Profile Analysis (profile plot) supported this idea. The study revealed that the prevalence of child stunting was highest in Tigray region. Multilevel random coefficient model is better compared to empty (null) model and random intercept model in fitting the data. The intra correlation coefficient suggests that there is variation of child stunting status across the region of Ethiopia. In order to formulate policies to control the child stunting in Ethiopia, it is important not only to understand the incidence of stunting among the children, but also how it differs with demographic and economic characteristics and its trends over time.
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Data and Methodology, Objectives of the Study, Scope of Study, Back Ground of the Study