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Urban–Rural Disparities in the Magnitude and Determinants of Stunting among Children under Five in Tanzania: Based on Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys 1991–2016

Author

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  • Wenjun Zhu

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Shanghai 200433, China
    Global Health Institution, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Wenjun Zhu and Si Zhu contributed equally to this work.)

  • Si Zhu

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Shanghai 200433, China
    Global Health Institution, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Wenjun Zhu and Si Zhu contributed equally to this work.)

  • Bruno F. Sunguya

    (School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam P.O. BOX 65001, Tanzania)

  • Jiayan Huang

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
    Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Shanghai 200433, China
    Global Health Institution, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China)

Abstract

Our study aims to examine the disparity of under-5 child stunting prevalence between urban and rural areas of Tanzania in the past three decades, and to explore factors affecting the rural–urban disparity. Secondary analyses of Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS) data drawn from 1991–1992, 1996, 1999, 2004–2005, 2009–2010, and 2015–2016 surveys were conducted. Under-5 child stunting prevalence was calculated separately for rural and urban children and its decline trends were examined by chi-square tests. Descriptive analyses were used to present the individual-level, household-level, and societal-level characteristics of children, while multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine determinants of stunting in rural and urban areas, respectively. Additive interaction effects were estimated between residence and other covariates. The results showed that total stunting prevalence was declining in Tanzania, but urban–rural disparity has widened since the decline was slower in the rural area. No interaction effect existed between residence and other determinants, and the urban–rural disparity was mainly caused by the discrepancy of the individual-level and household-level factors between rural and urban households. As various types of determinants exist, multisector nutritional intervention strategies are required to address the child stunting problem. Meanwhile, the intervention should focus on targeting vulnerable children, rather than implementing different policies in rural and urban areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjun Zhu & Si Zhu & Bruno F. Sunguya & Jiayan Huang, 2021. "Urban–Rural Disparities in the Magnitude and Determinants of Stunting among Children under Five in Tanzania: Based on Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys 1991–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-14, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5184-:d:553948
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Josephat J. Hongoli & Youjin Hahn, 2023. "Early life exposure to cold weather shocks and growth stunting: Evidence from Tanzania," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(12), pages 2855-2879, December.

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