Stunting and Associated Factors among Children Under Five Years in Yemen during the Conflict Period

Abstract

It remains a significant public health problem in many low and middle-income countries, particularly in Yemen, related to nutritional deficiencies during the most critical periods of growth and development in early childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of stunting and the associated factors among Yemeni children under 5 years of age. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design among 434 mothers and their children aged 6-59 months. Data were collected through face-to-face interview using the structured questionnaire that consists of 28 items. Anthropometric indicator, height-for-age was determined using the current World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. An analysis of the data was conducted using a multivariable logistic regression model. Statistical significance was determined by the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) from the multivariable analysis. The prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five was 46.1%. According to the multivariable analysis, stunting is statistically associated with children aged 13-24 months (AOR 2.04), 25-36 months (AOR 2.27), 37-48 months (AOR 2.38), secondary education of the father (AOR 0.31), household size of five members (AOR 0.66), and flushed or poured toilets (AOR 1.91). In Yemen, family-specific factors are the primary contributors to stunted development in children. There is a need to emphasize interventions related to food, nutrition, and overall hygiene to reduce malnutrition in the studied region and the country as a whole.