1

Prevalence and factors associated with stunting among under- five years children in Simiyu Region, Tanzania: a population-based survey David P. Ngilangwa 1, Godfrey Matumu 1, Benatus Sambili 1 Amref Health Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 1 st Amref Health Africa International Conference Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi Kenya th November,

Outline: Background Methods Results Conclusion Acknowledgments 3

Background o Under nutrition is the threats to child survival. o Globally,> 150m children are malnourished o Malnutrition contributes to 35% of all <5 mortalities. 4 o In Tanzania;  Stunting currently affects 42% of <5 children  Tanzania ranks 3rd in Sub- Saharan Africa for stunting.  Over 3 million of children <5 yrs are estimated to be stunted o In Tanzania;  Stunting currently affects 42% of <5 children  Tanzania ranks 3rd in Sub- Saharan Africa for stunting.  Over 3 million of children <5 yrs are estimated to be stunted o Simiyu:  New region  No baseline data on stunting. o Simiyu:  New region  No baseline data on stunting.

Methods Objective To determine the prevalence and factors associated with stunting among < 5 children in Simiyu region Study design A population based cross-sectional survey. Multistage sampling was used to; i.Select 30 villages in all the five districts and appr 27 HH ii.806 HH were covered, each of which had at least one child aged months. 810 <5 yrs children were selected Anthropometric measurements were taken using WHO std tool; 1.Low height for age (stunting) SPSS version 20 used for analysis. 5

Results: Fig1.Stunting index distribution for children (6-59months)-Simiyu region,  Of 781 children, 263 (33.7%) were stunted (< 2 SD) - Though, slightly lower than the national average of 42 %.  Moderate and severe stunting accounted for 21.5% and 12.2%. - While the severely stunted children is 17% at National level.  Stunting is highest (46.7%) in children aged and lowest (11.3%) in children aged 9-11 months. -Prevalence for children aged 18-23, is slightly lower than the national average of 55%. 6

Results: Anthropometry: measuring height  Stunting prevalence, higher in male children (37.1%) as compared to female ones (29.9%). -Though, slightly lower than the national average of 46% and 39%.  OR for female children to be stunted as compared to male children (0.69) - There was statistical evidence for the estimated OR (p-value = ).  Age group; estimated OR to be stunted was three times higher for children aged months, months and months, as compared with children aged 6 to 8 months. 7  Anaemic children had higher probability to be stunted as compared to non-anaemic children (OR was 1.7, with p-value = ).

Results: Demographic characteristics… Stunting is an indicator of chronic under-nutrition; -Reflects failure to receive adequate nutrition, also affected by recurrent and chronic illness. -Under nutrition is manifested at an early age. 8 o What is so special ? -With,33.7% prevalence of stunting, Simiyu is better of the national average of 42.0%. But the public health significance of such prevalence is classified as HIGH by WHO. o What is so special ? -With,33.7% prevalence of stunting, Simiyu is better of the national average of 42.0%. But the public health significance of such prevalence is classified as HIGH by WHO.

Conclusion Timely and regular ANC visit Improving both quality and access to health services and medication o Community sensitization o Quality of medication and quality of health education/counseling 9 o Way forward: To address the problem; Emphasis is on intensive nutrition and educational programmes among communities. o Way forward: To address the problem; Emphasis is on intensive nutrition and educational programmes among communities.

Acknowledgement This study was supported by 10 o The Government of Canada o The Government of Tanzania o The community and PIT

11