Correlates of Infant and Child Stunting in Nigeria: A Multilevel Analysis

Ibukunoluwa F. A. Odelola, University of the Witwatersrand
Sunday A. Adedini, University of the Witwatersrand and Obafemi Awolowo University

Stunting is an excellent way of measuring child health inequalities and human capital. Enough progress has not been made despite alarming rates of stunting among under-five children in Nigeria. This study examines the influence of community contexts on infant (age 0-11 months) and childhood (12-59 months) stunting in Nigeria. Multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was performed on 20,192 women of childbearing age who had total of 28,596 children during the five years preceding the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Findings shows a higher risk of stunting in infants that were product of multiple births (OR:3.11, p-value < 0.05) and children whose mothers resided in Northeastern Nigeria(OR:7.71,p-value<0.05. Findings from this study underscore the need for interventions aimed at ameliorating poor macro-level characteristics.