Abstract:
Background: This study examined the relationships between child, maternal, household, and
gender inequality characteristics and child stunting in Kenya and Cambodia. Globally, an
estimated 171 million children are stunted, including 167 million in low- and middle-income
countries, with especially high prevalence levels in Africa and Asia. Child stunting reflects chronic
undernutrition, which often begins before birth and is almost irreversible after the second year
of life.
Methods: The study analyzed data from the 2014 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS
surveys) in Kenya and Cambodia for children under age 2. Bivariate and logistic regression
analyses were performed to find associations between the variables and child stunting.
Results: The prevalence of stunting among children under age 2 in Kenya was 22%, and in
Cambodia, 25%. Child’s age, perceived birth size, family wealth status, and region of residence
were significantly associated with stunting. In both countries children from the richest households
had 0.4 times lower odds of being stunted compared with those from the poorest households. In
Kenya alone, female children had 0.6 times lower odds of being stunted compared with male
children. In Cambodia alone, children from rural areas had 0.6 times lower odds of being stunted
compared with those from urban areas, while children whose mothers were underweight had 1.7
times higher odds of being stunted than children whose mothers were not underweight. In both
countries, there was general lack of a strong and significant relationship between gender inequality
and child stunting.
Conclusions: Children’s characteristics were more important in predicting stunting than factors
related to mothers, households, or gender. More extensive analysis of the DHS data should be done
to include other aspects of gender inequality, such as decisions on choice and preparation of food
and purchase of household goods.
