Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Raymond R. Panas

Abstract

Stunting is the most common form of undernutrition globally and is a major public health concern. Child stunting has both short-term negative effects on children’s health and long-term negative effects on adult health and human capital. Zimbabwe has a high prevalence of stunting, 27% in 2015. Although some of the factors associated with stunting are known, there is a gap on comprehensive evidence on the significant factors associated with persistent high levels of child stunting. The UNICEF conceptual framework for malnutrition was used to guide a cross-sectional study using the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey data to identify and describe the risk factors that drive stunting in children under 5 years of age in Zimbabwe and to assess if there is any interplay between these risk factors and stunting. Analysis was done using binary and multiple logistical regression. Education, income, source of drinking water, sanitary facilities, child’s age, sex, size at birth, diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, minimum acceptable diet, and immunization were found to be statistically associated with stunting. Using stepwise multiple logistical regression, education, income, size of household, child’s age, sex, size at birth, diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, minimum acceptable diet, and immunization were found to be the most predicting factors to stunting. Child nutrition status can be improved by addressing significant predictors of stunting, which could lead to positive social change for communities and economies in Zimbabwe.

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