Abstract:
Objective: To report on the trends and determinants of undernutrition among
children ,5 years old in Kenya.
Design: Data from four nationwide Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys,
conducted in 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008–2009, were analysed. The Demographic
and Health Survey utilizes a multistage stratified sampling technique.
Setting: Nationwide covering rural and urban areas in Kenya.
Subjects: The analysis included 4757, 4433, 4892 and 4958 Kenyan children aged
,5 years in 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2009–2009, respectively.
Results: The prevalence of stunting decreased by 4?6 percentage points from
39?9 % in 1993 to 35?3 % in 2008–2009, while underweight decreased by
2?7 percentage points from 18?7 % in 1993 to 16?0 % in 2008–2009. The effects
of household wealth, maternal education and current maternal nutritional status
on child nutrition outcomes have changed dynamically in more recent years in
Kenya. Inadequate hygiene facilities increased the likelihood of chronic under-
nutrition in at least three of the surveys. Small size of the child at birth, childhood
diarrhoea and male gender increased the likelihood of undernutrition in at least
three of the surveys. Childhood undernutrition occurred concurrently with
maternal overnutrition in some households.
Conclusions: The analysis reveals a slow decline of undernutrition among young
children in Kenya over the last three decades. However, stunting and under-
weight still remain of public health significance. There is evidence of an emerging
trend of a malnutrition double burden demonstrated by stunted and underweight
children whose mothers are overweight.