A comparative analysis of socioeconomic inequities in stunting: a case of three middle-income African countries.
Arch Public Health
; 76: 77, 2018.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30555694
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Despite increased economic growth and development, and existence of various policies and interventions aimed at improving food security and nutrition, majority of countries in sub-Saharan Africa have very high levels of child malnutrition. The prevalence of stunting, an indicator of chronic malnutrition, is especially high.METHODS:
In this paper, we use Demographic and Health Survey datasets from three countries in the region that obtained middle-income status over the last decade (Ghana, Kenya and Zambia), to provide a comparative quantitative assessment of stunting levels, and examine patterns in stunting inequalities between 2007 and 2014.RESULTS:
Our analyses reveal that stunting rates decreased in all three countries over the study period, but are still high. In Zambia, 40% of under 5-year olds are stunted, compared to 26% in Kenya and 19% in Ghana. In all three countries, male children and those living in the poorest households have significantly higher levels of stunting. We also observe stark inequalities across socio-economic status, and show that these inequalities have increased over time.CONCLUSIONS:
Our results reveal that even with economic gains at the national level, there is need for continued focus on improving the socio-economic levels of the poorest households, if child nutritional outcomes are to improve.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article