Risk factors associated with under nutrition among children aged 6-59 months in Ngorongoro, Arusha region, Tanzania: a case-control study, 2017

¹Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. BOX 65015, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, ²Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Tanzania Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, P.O. BOX 743-40478, Dodoma, Tanzania, ³National Institute for Medical Research, P.O. BOX, 9653, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

^&Corresponding author
Ester Lucas Mdimu, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. BOX 65015, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Introduction    

Undernutrition is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children below five years of age, particularly in developing countries [1, 2]. It consists of stunting growth which result from chronic protein deficiencies; wasting which occurred due to chronic illness during childhood; and underweight which is usually the result of inadequate balanced diet [1, 3]. Children under-five years of age are the most vulnerable because of their high nutritional requirements for growth and development as well as immunity building [1, 3, 4]. Globally in 2015, about 162 million children under-five years of age were malnourished as well as 35% of children under-five years of age who die each year. These deaths are attributed to undernutrition and the most affected were the developing countries [1, 4, 5]. In Africa alone, it was estimated that in the period from 2015 to 2016 around 39% of children under five-years were stunted, 28% were wasted and 3% were underweight [3, 5]. In Kenya, from 2015 to 2016, there was an estimate of approximate 31% stunted, 22% underweight and 8% wasted children. During the same period in Nigeria, 40% were estimated stunted, 25% under weight and 9% wasted [6].

The situation in Tanzania is not very different from other African countries; within 2015 to 2016 it was estimated that, about 42% of children were stunted, 16% were underweight and 5% were wasted [2, 7]. However, there are lot of variations from one region to another. Undernutrition was 36% in Arusha while in Morogoro and Simiyu was 33%, Lindi 35% and 39% in the Tanga region [2, 8]. The problem varies highly from one district to another even within the same region. In the Arusha region, the district that leads for reported cases of undernutrition for under-five children was Ngorongoro. Unpublished data from the District Health Information System (DHIS2) shows an increase in the prevalence of undernutrition in children under-five years in Ngorongoro district from 2016 to 2017. Factors for this increase have not yet been established.

Studies have shown that stunted children have up to a nine-fold increased risk of dying compared to well-nourished children [2, 9]. The problem decreases mental development resulting in inadequate cognitive achievement [4, 10]. A number of risk factors have been linked, most are related to inadequate diet, inadequate water supply, poor hygiene and sanitation practices [8, 11]. Other risk factors also include poor maternal nutrition and low birth weight. However, magnitude of these risk factors varies from one locality to another [9, 12]. Using an unmatched case-control study, we aimed to determine the risk factors associated with undernutrition among children under-five years of age living in Ngorongoro district.

Methods     

Study setting: the study was conducted in Waso District Hospital in Ngorongoro district, Arusha Region in Tanzania. Waso hospital is a referral district hospital. The district have three divisions, twenty wards and seventy two villages [13]. The district has an area of 14,036 square kilometres with an estimated population of 174,278 as projected from the 2012 National census [8, 13]. The district has a total of 22 health facilities, 2 hospitals, 3 health centres, and 17 dispensaries. The average travelling distance to a health facility is 22km, range: 0-162km [13]. The main tribe are the Maasai whose main economic activity is animal keeping (pastoralism), during dry season men leave women on their own while looking for grazing.

Study design and study populations: an unmatched case-control study was conducted among children under five years of age (6-59 months) residing in Ngorongoro district. Residence was defined as having a permanent address in the district and lived in district at least for the past three months preceding data collection. A Case was defined as any child between 6-59 months old presenting with any of the following World Health Organization anthropometric indicators for under nutrition-weight-for-height <-2SD or weight-for-age <-2SD or height-for-age <-2SD or measurement of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) <12cm. Controls were defined as children between 6-59 months old considered to have normal anthropometric indicators.

Sample size and sampling: the sample size was computed using Epi info Statcalc 7 software for case control study following Kelsey formula of 2007 [14]. Statistical assumptions were based on a two-sided significance level of 95%; 80% power; a case to control ratio of 1:3; design effect of 2; proportion of controls exposed of 41.5%; and proportion of cases exposed of 58.7% [14, 15]. After accounting for a 5% possible non-response, the minimum sample size was 400 (100-cases and 300 controls). All cases admitted to the pediatric ward for different diagnosis or attend to Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) clinic for routing growth and development assessment between March and April 2017 were included in the study. Controls were selected in the same hospital from the pediatrics ward and RCH clinic where cases were recruited.

Data collection instruments: questionnaires were developed with most questions adopted from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) tool to capture information on demographic characteristics of the child, socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the mother/caregiver, child health and caring practices and environmental factors. The questionnaire was developed in the English language and later translated to Swahili. Research assistants were trained for two days at Waso Hospital hall on measuring the children weigh, height, age and to fill growth and development card. The research assistance was also required to know Kiswahili and Maasai for easy communication.

Measurements: anthropometric and MUAC measurements were taken from every child attending the RCH for assess growth and development and admitted to the paediatric ward for treatment of different diagnosis following standard WHO procedures. In brief, weight was measured with minimal clothing and recorded to the nearest 0.1kg using Salter scale (Zhezhong, China). Height was measured to the nearest 0.1cm with the child in the upward upright position, with legs stretched to a full extent and feet at right angles with legs and for those who could not stand recumbent length of the child on a measuring board was measured. The child´s mid-arm circumference was measured to the nearest 0.1cm using a non-stretchable tape placed around the upper arm at the midway point. Care was taken to make sure that the tape fitted comfortably around the child´s arm.

Data analysis: data was entered, cleaned and analyzed using Epi info version 3.1.5. Undernutrition frequency distribution tables were constructed. The outcome variable undernutrition in children under-five years was associated with individual predictor variables (age of the mother/caregiver, age initiation of feeding, low birth weight, diarrhoea disease in the past on month, home delivered, family with seven people in the house, marital status of the mother/caregiver, level of education of the mother/caregiver, occupation ). In this comparison the measure of association (odds ratio) and its statistical significance were estimated using the Chi-squared test at the significant level of 5%. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the significant factors contributing to undernutrition while controlling for other factors. During the stepwise modelling regression analyses, all variables with a p≤0.1 in the bivariate analysis were considered for inclusion.

Ethical consideration: ethical approval was obtained from the senate of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Research and Publication Committee with the following reference number MU/PGS/SAEC/Vol.XVIII. Permission to conduct the study and work with communities was obtained from all level of administration including the Arusha region, Ngorongoro district, village authorities and local tribal leaders. Participation in this study was voluntary so participants had benefits to get knowledge and asking any question pertaining to study. Participants had right to withdraw from the study at his/her will without any penalty and written or thumb print informed consent was sought from all participants. Confidentiality was maintained in the study by assuring that all questionnaires collected did not identify the participants in any way and the recorded information were kept together by using numbers.

Results     

Socio-demography of mothers and their children recruited for the study in the Ngorongoro district Tanzania 2017: a total of 400 children participated in this study, about 49% of cases and controls were boys while 51% of cases and controls were girls. Cases (46%) and controls (43%) were children between 12-23 months. The median age for cases was 19 months (range: 14-30.5 months) while the median age for controls was 23 months (range: 15-33 months). IQR for cases was 22 months (14-30.5 months) and a control was 24 months (15-33 months). A significantly smaller proportion of cases were born ≥2.5kgs than controls (cases 71.9% versus controls 95.3%; p<0.001). Forty two percent of cases had 3 siblings who were under-five compared to 6.7% for controls (p<0.001) (Table 1).

Child health, caring practice, environmental factors and their association with undernutrition in children 2017: most of the cases were delivered at home than controls (69% vs. 47%; p<0.001). About 50% of cases and controls were still breastfeeding during the study. More cases were weaned ≤12 months compared to controls (46% cases versus 11.7% controls). More cases significantly reported suffering from pneumonia (56%), diarrhoea (82%) and urinary tract infection (23%) in the past one month compared to 37%, 41% and 14% of controls, respectively. Fewer cases (79%) reported being dewormed over the last three months compared to 92% controls (p<0.001). A family size <7 were reported by 11 (11%) for cases and 177 (59%) in controls while 89% of cases lived in households with 7 or more members compared to 41% controls (p<0.001). Majority of cases (66%) reported using surface water (such as streams, rivers) as a source of drinking water compared to 40% controls (p<0.001). More mothers/caregivers of cases (72%) reported taking one hour or more to fetch water compared to controls (32.3%). Less cases reported to treat water to make it safe as compared to controls (22% versus 52.3%; p<0.001). Only a third (35%) of mothers/caregivers of cases reported having latrine in household compared to 61.7% of controls (p<0.001) (Table 2).

Multivariable logistic regression analysis of undernutrition showed that socio-demographic characteristics of child and household, child health and caring practices as well as environmental factors were significantly associated with undernutrition. Mothers/caregivers <25 years were 38 times more likely to have a child with undernutrition than mothers who were 25 years or older (aOR=38.8; 95% CI: 15.38-98.03, p<0.001). The families with ≥7 people were six times more likely to have a child with undernutrition compared to families with <7 people (aOR=6.1:95% CI 2.16-16.90, p<0.01). Children who were initiated on complimentary foods when <4 months were around fourteen times more likely to have undernutrition compared to children four months or older (aOR=13.6; 95% CI: 3.15-59.06, p<0.01). Children who were feed <6 times per day had a four fold probability of having undernutrition than children feed ≥6 times per day (aOR=3.9, 95% CI; 1.59-9.58; p<0.01). Children born <2.5kg were seven times more likely to have undernutrition compared to children born ≥2.5kg (aOR=7.3:95% CI: 1.56-46.70, p<0.02). Children who had diarrhoea in the past one month were five times more likely to have undernutrition than children who did not report having diarrhoea in the past one month (aOR=4.8;95% CI:1.76-12.85, p< 0.01). Families that reported using a well as a source of drinking water (aOR=16.3; 95% CI: 1.81-147.05, p<0.02) or using surface water for drinking (aOR=16.2; 95% CI: 1.85-141.71; p<0.02) were also significantly associated with undernutrition (Table 3).

Discussion     

In the study, we found that undernourished children were more likely to have a young mother/caregiver than normally nourished children this could be probably due to young having a mother/caregiver who had inadequate knowledge on feeding practice and child care experience. These findings were in line with findings reported in similar studies of under-nutrition conducted in Kenya and India [16, 17]. The study found that, children with low birth weight were more likely to be undernourished as compared to those born with normal weight. This could be due to the fact that children born with low weight continues to grow slowly due to impact of nutrition in the first year of life compared to the children born with normal weight, this result is similar to the findings reported in Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Congo [17, 18]. Large family sizes which included seven or more people, increased a risk of having an under-nourished child. This could be due to increased sharing of limited resources in a household including food which may result to inadequate food intake for the under-five children and accessibility of health care, economic status and sometime crowding can lead to infectious disease transmission. The findings were similar to results reported in Ethiopia, Malawi and Iran [11, 19].

This study found that initiation of a complementary diet before four months of age was significantly associated with under nutrition among the study population. This perhaps was due to the fact that, they believe complementary food is better for babies. These results were similar to other studies done in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Uganda [2, 17, 20]. The study also observed that children who had diarrhoea in the past one month before data collection, were more likely to be immediate wasting as compared to children who didn´t have diarrhoea disease in the past one month. This finding is possibly related to the source of the water used in the households. Similar findings were reported in Mozambique and Ethiopia [21, 22]. Families that used well and surface water (dam, river) as source of drinking water were more likely to have children with under nutrition as compared to families that used piped water. Drinking untreated well and surface water exposes the users to pathogens due to the higher possibility of contamination with human and animal faeces, leading to diarrhoea which ultimately results in under nutrition among children. Frequent illnesses, particularly, diarrhea, have been reported in other sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries to be among the core factors associated with poor nutrition in children [23-25].

This is an analytical study so is able to infer causality between studied factors and undernutrition. However, our results should be considered with the following limitation. Recall bias likely to be non-differential as both cases and controls were admitted or visiting the health facility for a health reason. The effect of this bias would thus underestimate the association observed. However, question were arranged to stimulate recall and the reference time was reduced to five years. Also, selection (Berksonian) bias as we recruited cases and controls that visited the hospital which is not representative of the community dwelling children.

Conclusion     

Under nutrition among children in Ngorongoro, Arusha region, Tanzania 2017 was a health problem for under five children, the intervention should focus on strengthening Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) on going education concerning feeding practice to under five as well as caring the children under five.

Competing interests     

The authors´ declare no competing interests.

Authors' contributions     

EM: Primary author was responsible for formulation of the research concept, designing the study, acquisition of data and analysis, interpretation of results and drafting of the manuscript. GL: Conception of the study, study design, data analysis, interpretation of the results as well as the review of the draft manuscript. AA, JJM and SS: Conception of the study, study design, coordination of the project, data analysis and interpretation and review of the draft manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of this manuscript and equally contributed to its content.

Acknowledgments     

Our special gratitude goes to the School of Public Health and Social Sciences of MUHAS. Tanzania Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (TFELTP) under the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr. Susan Rumisha, my colleagues´ Cohort 8, Staff of Waso Hospital in Ngorongoro districts. Data collectors and lastly study participants for their cooperation.

Tables     

Table 1: socio-demographic of mothers and their children recruited in the study, Ngorongoro district Tanzania, 2017

Table 2: child health, caring practice and environmental factors and their association with under-nutrition in children, 2017

Table 3: factors associated with under nutrition among under-five children in Ngorongoro District 2017

References