Browsing by Author "Mtongwa, Ramadhani"

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    A comparative analysis of determinants of low birth weight and stunting among under five children of adolescent and non-adolescent mothers using 2015/16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS
    (BMC Nutrition, 2021-11-21) Mtongwa, Ramadhani; Festo, Charles; Elisaria, Ester
    Background: Tanzania is one of the Sub-Saharan African country with nearly 12 out of 60 million people being adolescent. The prevalence of child marriage is higher with one out of every three girls being married before reaching their 18th birthday, 5 % being married by the age of 15, and 31% by the age of 18 years. Literature shows early pregnancy is associated with Low Birth Weight (LBW) and stunting among children under 5 years. This paper explores variation and factors associated with low birth weight and stunting among children born by adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. Methods: Data from 13,266 women with children under 5 years collected as part of the 2015/2016 TDHS was re analyzed using STATA version 14 software while accounting for survey design. A total of 6385 women (of which 7.2% were adolescent) and 8852 women (of which 6.7% were adolescent) were involved in the analysis of child birth weight and stunting respectively. Descriptive statistics stratified by maternal age was conducted with LBW and stunting as outcome variables followed by logistic regressions models controlling for confounding variables. Results: The proportion of obese or overweight adolescent and non-adolescent mothers was 11.8 and 36.5% respectively. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance, areas of residence and social economic status were very similar in the two maternal age groups. Non- adolescent mothers had reduced odds of giving birth to LBW babies compared to adolescent mothers (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.22–0.50). Maternal undernutrition (AOR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.43–3.67), being divorced, separated or widowed (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.24–2.50) and having at least four ANC visits (AOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.49–0.83) were significantly associated with reduced odds of having a LBW. Child stunting was not associated with maternal age. Maternal high socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.57–0.84) and maternal obesity or overweight (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64–0.92) were negatively associated with stunting. Child birth weight, sex, and age were significantly associated with stunting.
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    A comparative analysis of determinants of low birth weight and stunting among under-five children of adolescent and non-adolescent mothers using the 2015/16 Tanzania demographic and health survey
    (NM-AIST, 2022-06) Mtongwa, Ramadhani
    In Tanzania, adolescent pregnancies increased from 23% to 27% between 2012 and 2015. The rises have been linked to poor birth outcomes, pregnancy complications, childhood malnutrition, and maternal and child deaths. Using data from the 2015 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, this study investigated the factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) and under-five stunting among adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. Data from 13 266 women collected as part of the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey in 2015/2016 were re-analyzed using STATA version 14 software while taking survey design into account. The outcome variables were low birth weight and stunting. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors that contributed to LBW and stunting in children born to adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. After controlling for potential confounders, this study discovered that non-adolescent mothers had a lower risk of having LBW babies than adolescent mothers (AOR = 0.34; 95 per cent CI: 0.22-0.50). Maternal malnutrition (AOR = 2.29; 95 percent CI: 1.43–3.67), divorce, separation, or widowhood (AOR = 1.76; 95 percent CI: 1.24–2.50), and fewer than four antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR = 0.64; 95 percent CI: 0.49–0.83) were all associated with LBW. Stunting in children was not related to maternal age. Maternal high socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.57-0.84) and maternal obesity or overweight (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64-0.92) were associated with stunting. Stunting was found to be significantly associated with birth weight, gender, and age. Maternal age predicted LBW but not stunting. To reduce poor birth outcomes, a multi-sectoral approach is required to address childhood stunting and teenage pregnancies.