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2. 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 24-26 th November, 2014 2

3. Outline: Background Methods Results Conclusion Acknowledgments 3

4. 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.

5. 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 6- 59 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

6. 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 18-23 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

7. 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 = 0.0224).  Age group; estimated OR to be stunted was three times higher for children aged - 18-23 months, 24-35 months and 36-47 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 = 0.0132).

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

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