Identifying the trend of persistent cluster of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children under five years in northeastern states of India

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the spatial clustering of child undernutrition and identify the persistent clusters. MethodsWe utilized the data from the report of the National Family Health Survey, NFHS-4, (2015–16) and NFHS-5 (2019–21). Trend and spatial analysis were used to identify the persistent and hotspot clusters/areas of stunting, wasting, and underweight. ResultsEach of the northeastern states reported 22% or more stunted children in 2019–21, and at least 9% and 12% of children were wasted and underweight respectively. The hotspot clusters for stunting were found in the district of Assam and Meghalaya in both NFHS-4, 2015–16, and NFHS-5, 2019–21. Jantai Hills, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, and Ribhoi in Meghalaya, and Dhubri, Bongaigaon, and Barpeta in the district of Assam were found persistent. And the hotspot cluster of underweight found persistent in both NFHS-4(2015–16) and NFHS-5(2019–21) are Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Karimganj, and Darrang of Assam, and North Tripura of Tripura. ConclusionNumerous districts have seen a rise in the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight, in the northeastern states of India. This finding suggests that district-focused programs should be strengthened and sustained, and the outcomes of the study could help to target intervention programs and schemes aimed at eliminating child malnutrition at the district level, particularly in hotspot clusters.