Some factors associated to stunting in students 11-14 year olds in ethnic minority secondary schools, Yen bai province, 2017

Abstract

Background: The root cause of malnutrition is poverty and backwardness in all aspects

Objective: To identify some factors associated to stunting status in students 11-14 year olds.

Methodology: A case control study was conducted with 3,704 students aged 11-14 in 14 ethnic minority residency schools in Yen Bai province in 2017. Multilogistic regressions were employed to identify associated factors to the stunting of students, from with a p value at <0.05

Results:

Some factors associated to stunting were poor and near-poor household economy, with an odd of 1.5 (p <0.001); and 1.4 times higher in households with more than 4 people (p <0.001); for the mothers not attending school, their children were 1.3 times more likeky to suffer from stunting  (p <0.001); for farming mothers, their children were twice times that (p <0.001); the risk of stunting were 2.8 times higher in ethnic minority students (p <0.001). In addition, some other factors were also associated to the stunting of students, which were recidency in school; birth order; fever in the previous 2 weeks; nap and sleep time with stunting.

Conclusion: Family circumstances, socio-economic conditions are associated to stunting. More investment in socio-economic and nutrition for ethnic minority and disadvantaged areas should be considered to contribute to improve stunting situation.