Prevalence of stunting and effect of nutrition intervention package on stunting in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: In Rwanda, interventions have been put in place aimed at reducing stunting among under 5 years children but until now, its prevalence nationwide remains high (33%). A post-program quasi-experimental study was conducted among children between 0 and 24 months in two intervention districts, and two control districts to assess the impact of a nutrition intervention package implemented by a program named Gikuriro. Results: At the end of the Gikuriro program, the prevalence of stunting was 32.2% and 26. 9 % respectively in the intervention group and in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (Chi-square = 0.785, p - value = 0.376) and no observed effect of the nutrition intervention package on stunting (AOR = 1.206, CI at 95% [0.638 - 2.278], p - value = 0.564). Births in the last three years, child’s age, child’s birth size, wealth index, frequency of listening to radio, and months of breastfeeding were associated with stunting in the intervention group whereas in the control group, stunting was associated with receiving multiple micronutrients in last 7 days and beating justified if wife goes without telling husband. Conclusion: A second study is advised before deciding whether to scale up nutrition programs aimed at reducing stunting since only end program evaluation was considered and the stunting trend between baseline and end line has not been evaluated additionally there were some particular initiatives put in place aiming at reducing stunting in the control group.