Bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden
Abstract Background Stunting remains a significant public health issue in Rwanda and its prevalence exhibits considerable geographical variation. We apply Bayesian geostatistical modelling to study the spatial pattern of stunting in children less than five years considering anthropometric, socioecon...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12552-y |
| _version_ | 1819280409696927744 |
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| author | Vestine Uwiringiyimana Frank Osei Sherif Amer Antonie Veldkamp |
| author_facet | Vestine Uwiringiyimana Frank Osei Sherif Amer Antonie Veldkamp |
| author_sort | Vestine Uwiringiyimana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Stunting remains a significant public health issue in Rwanda and its prevalence exhibits considerable geographical variation. We apply Bayesian geostatistical modelling to study the spatial pattern of stunting in children less than five years considering anthropometric, socioeconomic and demographic risk factors in Rwanda. In addition, we predict the spatial residuals effects to quantify the burden of stunting not accounted for by our geostatistical model. Methods We used the data from the 2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. We fitted two spatial logistic models with similar structures, only differentiated by the inclusion or exclusion of spatially structured random effects. Results The risk factors of stunting identified in the geostatistical model were being male (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.47), lower birthweight (kg) (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.97), non-exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.45), occurrence of diarrhoea in the last two weeks (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.37), a lower proportion of mothers with overweight (BMI ≥ 25) (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.95), a higher proportion of mothers with no or only primary education (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.36). Also, a higher probability of living in a house with poor flooring material (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.41), reliance on a non-improved water source (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.27), and a low wealth index were identified as risk factors of stunting. Mapping of the spatial residuals effects showed that, in particular, the Northern and Western regions, followed by the Southern region of Rwanda, still exhibit a higher risk of stunting even after accounting for all the covariates in the spatial model. Conclusions Further studies are needed to identify the still unknown spatially explicit factors associated with higher risk of stunting. Finally, given the spatial heterogeneity of stunting, interventions to reduce stunting should be geographically targeted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-24T00:43:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8a0d38a5d4064332b1bfde84db3f2b28 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-24T00:43:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-8a0d38a5d4064332b1bfde84db3f2b282022-12-21T17:23:52ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-01-0122111410.1186/s12889-022-12552-yBayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burdenVestine Uwiringiyimana0Frank Osei1Sherif Amer2Antonie Veldkamp3Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of TwenteFaculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of TwenteFaculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of TwenteFaculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of TwenteAbstract Background Stunting remains a significant public health issue in Rwanda and its prevalence exhibits considerable geographical variation. We apply Bayesian geostatistical modelling to study the spatial pattern of stunting in children less than five years considering anthropometric, socioeconomic and demographic risk factors in Rwanda. In addition, we predict the spatial residuals effects to quantify the burden of stunting not accounted for by our geostatistical model. Methods We used the data from the 2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey. We fitted two spatial logistic models with similar structures, only differentiated by the inclusion or exclusion of spatially structured random effects. Results The risk factors of stunting identified in the geostatistical model were being male (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.47), lower birthweight (kg) (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.97), non-exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.45), occurrence of diarrhoea in the last two weeks (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.37), a lower proportion of mothers with overweight (BMI ≥ 25) (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.95), a higher proportion of mothers with no or only primary education (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.36). Also, a higher probability of living in a house with poor flooring material (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.41), reliance on a non-improved water source (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.27), and a low wealth index were identified as risk factors of stunting. Mapping of the spatial residuals effects showed that, in particular, the Northern and Western regions, followed by the Southern region of Rwanda, still exhibit a higher risk of stunting even after accounting for all the covariates in the spatial model. Conclusions Further studies are needed to identify the still unknown spatially explicit factors associated with higher risk of stunting. Finally, given the spatial heterogeneity of stunting, interventions to reduce stunting should be geographically targeted.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12552-yStuntingSpatial patternBayesian modellingSpatial residualsRwanda |
| spellingShingle | Vestine Uwiringiyimana Frank Osei Sherif Amer Antonie Veldkamp Bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden BMC Public Health Stunting Spatial pattern Bayesian modelling Spatial residuals Rwanda |
| title | Bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden |
| title_full | Bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden |
| title_fullStr | Bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden |
| title_short | Bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in Rwanda: risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden |
| title_sort | bayesian geostatistical modelling of stunting in rwanda risk factors and spatially explicit residual stunting burden |
| topic | Stunting Spatial pattern Bayesian modelling Spatial residuals Rwanda |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12552-y |
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