A comparative analysis of socioeconomic inequities in stunting: a case of three middle-income African countries
A comparative analysis of socioeconomic inequities in stunting: a case of three middle-income African countries
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DOI：
10.1186/s13690-018-0320-2
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发表时间：
2018-12-10
影响因子：
3.3
通讯作者：
May, Julian D.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Jonah, Coretta M. P.;Sambu, Winnie C.;May, Julian D.
背景尽管经济增长和发展加快，而且存在各种旨在改善粮食安全和营养的政策和干预措施，但撒哈拉以南非洲的大多数国家儿童营养不良的程度非常高。发育迟缓的患病率，慢性营养不良的指标，是特别高的methodsIn本文中，我们使用人口与健康调查数据集从三个国家在该地区获得中等收入国家在过去十年中，（加纳、肯尼亚和赞比亚），对发育迟缓程度进行比较性定量评估，并研究2007年至2014年发育迟缓不平等的模式。结果我们的分析显示，在研究期间，这三个国家的发育迟缓率都有所下降，但仍然很高。在赞比亚，40%的5岁以下儿童发育迟缓，肯尼亚为26%，加纳为19%。在所有这三个国家，男童和生活在最贫穷家庭的儿童发育迟缓的比例都高得多。我们还观察到社会经济地位的明显不平等，并表明这些不平等随着时间的推移而增加。ConclusionsOur结果显示，即使在国家一级的经济收益，有必要继续关注改善最贫困家庭的社会经济水平，如果儿童营养状况要改善。
BackgroundDespite increased economic growth and development, and existence of various policies and interventions aimed at improving food security and nutrition, majority of countries in sub-Saharan Africa have very high levels of child malnutrition. The prevalence of stunting, an indicator of chronic malnutrition, is especially high.MethodsIn this paper, we use Demographic and Health Survey datasets from three countries in the region that obtained middle-income status over the last decade (Ghana, Kenya and Zambia), to provide a comparative quantitative assessment of stunting levels, and examine patterns in stunting inequalities between 2007 and 2014.ResultsOur analyses reveal that stunting rates decreased in all three countries over the study period, but are still high. In Zambia, 40% of under 5-year olds are stunted, compared to 26% in Kenya and 19% in Ghana. In all three countries, male children and those living in the poorest households have significantly higher levels of stunting. We also observe stark inequalities across socio-economic status, and show that these inequalities have increased over time.ConclusionsOur results reveal that even with economic gains at the national level, there is need for continued focus on improving the socio-economic levels of the poorest households, if child nutritional outcomes are to improve.