Prevalence and Determining Factors of Stunting among School-Aged Children in a Rural Nigerian Community: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Stunting, an indicator of chronic childhood under-nutrition, is a challenging community health issue among rural Nigerian school children. This study assessed the prevalence and determining factors of stunting among school-aged children (SAC) in a rural Nigerian community. Three hundred and eighty SAC from government primary schools in Achi, Oji-River Local Government Area, Enugu state were selected for the study using multistage sampling technique. Structured and validated questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessments of serum zinc, presence of malaria and intestinal parasites were used for data collection.Stunting, underweight, thinness and overweight prevalence were 21.1%, 17.0%, 16.6% and 10.0%, respectively. Zinc deficiency, malaria and intestinal parasitemia existed in 12.5%, 27.5% and 35.0%, respectively. SAC who were males, 6-8 years, of the third birth order, underweight, overweight, zinc deficient and had intestinal parasitemia had higher odds of being stunted. Having secondary education, farming as an occupation and low monthly income among the mothers; nuclear family system and household size of ≥ 9 were other determinants of stunting observed in the study. These findings suggest the need for targeted intervention against the major determinants of stunting in the area.