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Background: Stunting is a major public health problem among children globally as well as in Ethiopia. Between 2000 and 2016 the prevalence of stunting among under five children in Ethiopia declined from 57 to 38%. Despite this, Ethiopia still has one of the highest prevalence of childhood undernutrition among East African countries. Comprehensive knowledge about the risk factors of stunting in local context is vital to develop prevention strategies and appropriate intervention.
Objective: To determine the effect of access to water and sanitation on child stunting in Ethiopia.
Methods: Cross-sectional data from 2005, 2011 and 2016, Demographic and Health Survey was used. Descriptive statistics were used for data presentation. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were implemented using logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with child stunting across the three national surveys. Sample weight was used in all of the study analysis.
Results: Child age, sex and perceived weight at birth were significantly associated with stunting. Children whose mothers had secondary and above education were less likely to be stunted compared to children of mothers who had no education. Significant association were found between drinking water source and stunting in 2005 and 2011 survey. Children from households that had a water source within the compound were all less likely to be stunted, with OR of 0.61, 0.67 and 0.68 for years 2005, 2011 and 2016, respectively. Children in households with access to unimproved toilet was associated with stunting with AOR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.1-1.54 and AOR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.00-1.41 in 2011 and 2016, respectively.
Conclusion & recommendation: The study showed maternal, child and environmental factors are associated with stunting. Promotion of maternal education, health education for child care givers, and access to improved drinking water source and sanitation facilities could play an important element in preventing stunting and improve child nutrition.
........................................ Thesis available at ACIPH Library |
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