Stunting in children (0–59 months): what is the current trend in South Africa?*. Issue 12 (2nd December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dukhi, Natisha; Sartorius, Benn; Taylor, Myra
• Is Part Of: Early child development and care. Volume 187:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 1874
• Page End: 1886
• Publication Date: 2017-12-02
• Subjects: Child malnutrition -- stunting -- severe stunting -- determinants -- attributability -- spatial clustering; Child development -- Periodicals; Children -- Services for -- Periodicals; 155.405
• DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2016.1193501
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-4430

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Stunting continues to affect young children as a global nutritional disorder. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence, associated risk factors and spatial clustering for stunting in a disadvantaged South African District. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional weighted survey of households was conducted in the iLembe district, KwaZulu-Natal in 2014. Children aged 0–59 months were included in the study sample. Height for age Z scores were calculated for the children and the spatial clustering was assessed. Results: Of the 572 children included in the weighted analyses, 21.1% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 18.0–24.5) were classified as stunted and of these 7.5% (95% CI 5.3–10.4) were severely stunted. Conclusion: Stunting is a major public health burden in SA that requires intervention at a community level. A multi-sectoral approach is required to reduce stunting prevalence, focusing on child growth and development monitoring, nutrition education and household food security.