PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UNDERNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN AGED 6-59 MONTHS IN WESTERN PROVINCE, RWANDA

Abstract

Abstract

Undernutrition refers to the inadequate intake of essential nutrients required to maintain optimal health. Globally, the prevalence of stunting is 1.6 times higher, and wasting is 1.4 times more common in rural areas compared to urban regions. In Rwanda, 33% of children under five were found to be stunted, 2% suffered from acute malnutrition (wasting or low weight for length), and 8% were underweight. The Western Province recorded the highest prevalence of stunting, with 40% of children under five being affected, making it a significant public health issue. The first and second districts with the highest stunting rates are located in this province. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among children aged 6-59 months in the Western Province of Rwanda. A cross-sectional design was used, and data were drawn from the most recent Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) 2019/2020, which included responses from 868 mothers or primary caregivers of children aged 6-59 months in the Western Province. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Among the 868 children included in the study, 50.7% were female, 24.4% were aged 25-34 months, 77% had an average size at birth, and the majority (62.9%) did not receive a postnatal checkup within the first two months. The study revealed that the prevalence of undernutrition was 43.0% for stunting, 8.6% for underweight, and 0.7% for wasting. Several factors were significantly associated with stunting, including being aged 24-35 months (AOR=3.884, 95%CI=1.823-8.277, p=0.000), being male (AOR=1.464, 95%CI=1.094-1.961, p=0.01), living in the poorest families (AOR=9.369, 95%CI=5.026-17.463, p=0.000), and having a partner or husband with only primary education (AOR=0.592, 95%CI=0.379-0.926, p=0.022). Underweight was associated with being male (AOR=2.135, 95%CI=1.287-3.540, p=0.003), living in the poorest families (AOR=5.743, 95%CI=1.564-21.091, p=0.008), and having a partner or husband with primary education (AOR=0.443, 95%CI=0.241-0.815, p=0.009). Wasting was linked to non-de jure residence in a household with access to a radio, electricity, and television (AOR=12.738, 95%CI=0.997-162.862, p=0.05). The study concluded that providing financial support to poor families, educating parents, and improving access to healthcare and infrastructure can enhance the nutritional status of children in the Western Province of Rwanda.