Feeding Practices and Linear Growth Faltering Among Sierra Leonean Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: A Study Using 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey

Feeding Practices and Linear Growth Faltering Among Sierra Leonean Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: A Study Using 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Feeding Practices and Linear Growth Faltering Among Sierra Leonean Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: A Study Using 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey Munawar Harun Koray, Alieu Sam, Elizabeth Ezekiel Malingumu, Niyibizi Julius, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6924661/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Introduction: Linear growth faltering, a strong indicator of chronic undernutrition, is a significant public health concern in Sierra Leone, particularly among children aged 6 to 23 months. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of stunting and its relationship with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices with nationally representative data of the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS). Methods: Cross-sectional study of 1,343 mothers aged 15-49 years and their youngest children aged 6-23 months. Stunting (length-for-age Z-score < -2 according to WHO criteria) was the primary outcome. Exposures included age-appropriate complementary feeding, meal frequency, dietary diversity, and breastfeeding. Potential predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for covariates (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The prevalence of stunting was 26%. IYCF practices (breastfeeding, meal frequency, dietary diversity, complementary feeding) showed no significant association with stunting (p > 0.05). Older children (12-17 months: aOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.70-3.62; 18-23 months: aOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 2.22-4.93), male sex (aOR = 0.56 for female, 95% CI: 0.42-0.75) and underweight at birth increased stunting risk. Secondary maternal education (aOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40-0.91), higher wealth (richest: aOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.17-0.92), normal/overweight maternal BMI (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.72; aOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.76), and urban residence (aOR = 3.44 for rural, 95% CI: 1.08-11.00) reduced the odds of stunting risk. Conclusions: Although IYCF practices were not significantly associated with stunting, socio-demographic factors were identified as significant predictors. Child's age, male sex, underweight birth weight and rural residence were associated with higher stunting risk, while maternal education, wealth, and maternal BMI were protective. Targeted interventions that improve maternal nutrition, economic situations, and the rural-urban gap are needed to alleviate stunting in Sierra Leone. linear growth faltering Stunting infant and young child feeding Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Background Over the years, linear growth faltering in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, remains an understated concern that poses a serious threat to public health. Linear growth faltering refers to the deterioration in length for age Z scores (LAZ), which significantly impacts growth trajectories with far-reaching implications for children's health and cognitive development [ 1 , 2 ]. In Sierra Leone, as well as in many developing countries, this issue is exacerbated by poor feeding practices, socio-economic challenges, and inadequate health resources [ 2 , 3 ]. Malnutrition in early childhood has lifelong consequences, including impaired cognitive development, increased susceptibility to infections, and reduced productivity in adulthood. The development and growth of young children under the age of five are significantly influenced by optimal feeding practices [ 4 ]. Globally, malnutrition affects approximately 149.2 million children under the age of five, with persistent stunting being a critical problem in many regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa (5). In Africa, around 30% of children are affected by stunting, meaning that more than one in four children struggle with developmental problems due to inadequate nutrition and health care [ 3 ]. This alarming trend emphasises the urgent need for effective nutrition interventions and policy reforms aimed at alleviating child malnutrition [ 5 ]. The situation appears to be even bleaker in Sierra Leone, with recent surveys showing that nearly 30% of children under five are underdeveloped and approximately 8% suffer from acute malnutrition [ 6 – 8 ]. This is evident in the WHO global report on nutrition, as the country records a high prevalence of stunting (31.3%) and wasting (6.3%) among children under five years of age [ 9 ]. The report further indicates that stunting rates are lower than the African regional average (30.7%), while wasting rates are slightly higher (6.0%) [ 9 ]. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are promising, with 54.0% of infants aged 0–5 months exclusively breastfed, placing Sierra Leone 'on course' for the global target for exclusive breastfeeding [ 9 ]. However, only 36% of children aged 6–59 months received iron supplements in the past seven days, and 83% received vitamin A supplements in the last six months, indicating gaps in micronutrient intervention coverage [ 9 ]. These nutritional deficiencies, particularly during the critical 6–12-month period, contribute to linear growth faltering, a key indicator of chronic malnutrition. The factors contributing to these malnutrition figures are diverse. Earlier studies reported endemic poverty, common infectious diseases, and inadequate maternal and child health practices, which together hinder adequate nutrient intake and infant growth [ 7 , 8 , 10 ]. In addition, infant feeding practices in Sierra Leone are characterised by reliance on inadequate complementary foods after the first few months of exclusive breastfeeding. This mismanagement of solid food introduction compromises the positive growth outcomes expected from early breastfeeding [ 11 ]. Linear growth retardation is closely linked to feeding practices and nutritional choices in the first two years of life. Studies have shown that inappropriate complementary feeding practices can increase the risk of growth retardation in children [ 10 ]. In a similar vein, Nabwera et al. point out the complexity of this public health dilemma in their study “connecting growth faltering with environmental factors, infectious diseases, and socio-economic status” [ 3 , 12 ]. The timing and appropriateness of complementary feeding are still factors that contribute to the growth status of children. Numerous studies from various countries have found associations between the early introduction of solid foods and later growth outcomes, providing further support for tailored breastfeeding and weaning education [ 12 , 13 ]. Despite extensive research addressing growth retardation globally, there are gaps in the literature regarding the lack of such a study in Sierra Leone, particularly using nationally representative data on feeding practices and their association with linear growth retardation in Sierra Leonean children aged 6 to 12 months. This study provides empirical data to inform local nutrition interventions and policies aimed at optimising child growth in Sierra Leone and other low- and middle-income countries in Africa. Methods Study Setting and Study Design The demographic and health surveys (DHS) are household surveys conducted every five years across low- and middle-income countries worldwide. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design used by the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey (SLDHS) programme. Sierra Leone is organised into provinces, which are subdivided into districts, then into census wards, and further into sections. For the 2015 Census, each locality was divided into census enumeration areas (EAs), which were used as the primary sampling units (PSUs) in the 2019 SLDHS. The census provided a list of EAs, classified as either urban or rural, resulting in a total of 31 sampling strata to assist in estimating the number of households for the survey. In the first stage, 578 enumeration areas (EAs) were selected using probability proportional to size, determined by the number of households. A household listing was then carried out in these EAs. In the second stage, 24 households were systematically chosen from each EA, resulting in a total of around 13,872 households. The selection was done using a computerized system to maintain randomness, and no substitutions or alterations to the selected households were permitted to prevent bias. Study Population The population of the study, as referenced by the DHS design for diet diversity data collection, involved mothers aged 15 to 49 years who were living with their youngest children at the time of the survey. The inclusion criteria for the 2019 SLDH included a random sample of two-thirds of the children, as set out in the child anthropometric module of the DHS. This study's analysis was limited to the youngest children aged 6 to 23 months living with their mothers in each household, whose anthropometric measurements were taken at the time of the 2019 DHS survey. A total of 1,343 mothers and children were included in the study. Data Source and Data Collection The data for this study were obtained from the KR datafile in the 2019 SLDHS. The KR file contains data on children under the age of five years preceding the survey and their mothers. This includes data on child health (e.g. vaccination history, diarrhoea, fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI), breastfeeding and nutrition, birth history, maternal and child care, and anthropometry (height/weight). Study Variables Outcome variables Length for age Z -score (LAZ) which refers to the measure of linear growth faltering in younger children was the primary outcome of this study. In line with WHO child growth standard, the Z-score was calculated using age, sex, and length for each child. The length of children age 6–23 months was measured using the SECA measuring board with a laying down position. This variable was recoded to stunting (code = 1) and no stunting (code = 0) using the WHO. Children with LAZ < -2 were categorized as stunted and those with LAZ ≥ -2 classified as not stunted [ 14 ]. Exposure variables The primary exposure of this study was age-appropriate complementary feeding. In this study, the WHO three infants and young child feeding indicators was used as a measure to arrive at the minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity, and age-appropriate breastfeeding. The three indicators above were determined following the definitions by WHO and UNICEF [ 15 ] as shown below. Minimum dietary diversity Minimum dietary diversity is achieved through the consumptions of food items categorized into seven food group, namely; grains, roots, and tubers, flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry, and liver/organ meats), legumes and nuts, dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese), grains, roots, and tubers, egg’s, fruits rich in vitamin-A and vegetables. Consumptions of at least four of the above food group were classified as meeting dietary diversity. Minimum meal frequency Minimum meal frequency refers to the least amount and frequency of meal consumed per child in a day. These foods include solids, semisolids, or soft foods, and the rate of the consumptions and requirement to meeting the minimum meal frequency varied according to the ages of the children. For breast feeding children aged 6–8 month to be considered meeting this target, they should be fed at least twice a day with the above foods, and at least three thrice a day for children aged 9–23 months. For the non- breastfeeding children within the age of 6–23 months, they are considered to meeting the minimum meal frequency if they consumed solid, semisolid or soft food at least four times a day. Age-appropriate breastfeeding Age-appropriate breastfeeding refers to the provision of breast milk, in addition to solid, semisolid, or soft foods to children within the age of 6–23 months old the preceding day or night of the survey. The variables were defined based on the data on current breastfeeding practice or the exact liquid and food groups available for consumption to the child and its frequency preceding the day before the survey. Covariates The covariate used in the analysis of this study was the probable risk factors for lineal growth faltering in children, mother and household. These includes type of birth, sex, birth weight, recent history of illness of the child, body mass index of the mother, wealth index, educational background and place of residence. Data Analysis This study aimed to measure the complementary feeding practice among children 6–12 months, and also to determine the association between age-appropriate complementary feeding, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice indicators and lineal growth among Sierra Leonean children. According to the WHO IYCF indicators, complementary feeding practices were classified using a binary variable. A descriptive analysis was conducted to assess child feeding practices by age group (6–9 and 10–12 years). The association among child feeding practices, other explanatory variables, and length-for-age Z-scores was analysed using Pearson’s chi-square test. Variables significant at p < 0.25 with a 95% confidence interval were included in a multivariable logistic regression. A binary logistic regression was conducted to determine the crude odds ratio (cOR). Variables significant at p < 0.05 in the binary logistic regression were included in the subsequent multivariable logistic regression. Model Diagnostics The Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) was used to assess multicollinearity among the independent variables selected after a chi-square test to ensure the model’s validity (34). VIF values more than 10 are often considered as a show of multicollinearity (35–37). gen wt = v005/1000000. svyset v021 [pweight = wt], strata(v023). The “svy” command was used with the typical commands for weighted analysis. Ethical approval This study used the DHS secondary database, which is publicly available, implying that there was no need for ethical clearance. Comprehensive information on the methodology and ethical considerations can be found on the DHS website https://www.dhsprogram.com/Data/. This study did not need ethical approval and consent from participants because the DHS program provided no personal identifier or link. Results Figure 1 shows a boxplot illustrating the distribution of LAZ among children categorised as stunted (LAZ < –2) or not stunted (LAZ ≥ –2), based on WHO growth standards. Approximately 26% of children are classified as stunted (mean LAZ: –2.94 ± 0.89). Across age groups, LAZ declines with increasing age, with the highest prevalence of stunting (35.0%) observed among children aged 18–23 months, followed by 12–17 months (28.0%) and 6–11 months (17.9%). Statistical comparisons between groups (all p < 0.001) indicate significant differences in LAZ distributions by age. This is shown in Figure 2. Table 1 displays feeding practices and the ages of children. The proportion of children meeting the minimum meal frequency ranged from 25.7% (12–17 months) to 44.3% (18–23 months), with an overall prevalence of 30.8% (95% CI: 28.1–33.6). Minimum dietary diversity was lowest among infants aged 6–11 months (12.9%; 95% CI: 10.0–16.5) and highest in the 12–17 month group (32.7%; 95% CI: 28.3–37.4), yielding a total prevalence of 23.2% (95% CI: 20.8–25.8). Age-appropriate breastfeeding was most prevalent among children aged 12–17 months (74.4%) but least common among those aged 18–23 months (35.4%), resulting in a total prevalence of 62.1% (95% CI: 59.1–65.1). The prevalence of age-appropriate complementary feeding, a composite indicator, remained low across all age groups, ranging from 3.0% to 9.1%, with an overall prevalence of only 5.9% (95% CI: 4.7–7.4). The study found no significant link between common feeding practices and stunting. Most children (62%) were breastfed appropriately; however, this did not reveal a significant difference (p = 0.31) in stunting rates compared to those who were not breastfed properly (26% vs 28%). Likewise, whether children met meal frequency requirements (69% did not) or dietary diversity standards (77% did not) made no statistically meaningful difference in stunting levels (p-values > 0.05). Even age-appropriate complementary feeding, which was rare (occurring in only 6% of children), showed minimal impact on stunting rates. This is presented in Table 2. The LAZ distribution appears slightly right-shifted for children who met the criterion for age-appropriate complementary feeding. The prevalence of stunting was 19.3% among those who met the criterion, versus 26.7% among those who did not (χ² = 1.72, p = 0.189) (Panel A). The LAZ distributions for children who did and did not meet the criterion for minimum dietary diversity are almost identical, with stunting prevalence virtually the same in both groups (26.1% vs. 26.8%; χ² = 0.02, p = 0.878) (Panel B). A modest rightward shift in the LAZ distribution is evident among those who met the criterion for minimum meal frequency, accompanied by a lower stunting prevalence compared to those who did not meet the criterion (22.8% vs. 27.8%; χ² = 3.33, p = 0.0682) (Panel C). Regarding age-appropriate breastfeeding, similar LAZ distributions are observed across groups, with slightly lower stunting among those who met the criterion (25.1% vs. 28.2%; χ² = 1.29, p = 0.255) (Panel D). This is presented in Figure 3. Table 1: Children who met feeding practice criteria and their age groups Feeding practices 6 - 11 months (N = 458) 12 - 17 months (N = 509) 18 - 23 months (N = 344) 6 - 23 months (N = 1311) n (%) 95%CI n (%) 95%CI n (%) 95%CI n (%) 95%CI Minimum meal frequency 39.3 (34.5 - 44.3) 25.7 (21.7 - 30.2) 44.3 (30.2 - 32.3) 30.8 (28.1 - 33.6) Minimum dietary diversity 12.9 (10.0 - 16.5) 32.7 (28.3 - 37.4) 23.0 (18.7 - 28.0) 23.2 (20.8 - 25.8) Age-appropriate breastfeeding 68.7 (63.6 - 73.3) 74.4 (69.8 - 78.5) 35.4 (30.1 - 41.0) 62.1 (59.1 - 65.1) Age-appropriate complementary feeding 4.6 (3.0 - 6.8) 9.1 (6.8 - 12.1) 3.0 (1.6 - 5.8) 5.9 (4.7 - 7.4) Socio-Demographic characteristics and their Association with Stunting The sample comprised 458 (34.93%) children aged 6-11 months, while children aged 12-17 months accounted for 508 (38.74%). The prevalence of stunting significantly increased with age (17.87%, 28.00%, and 34.98%, respectively; p < 0.0001). The findings also indicated that gender was significantly associated with stunting (p < 0.001), with a higher proportion of males (30.96%) being stunted. Among the infants, 46 (3.51%) were underweight, and 360 (27.45%) were classified as overweight. Stunting varied significantly across weight groups (p < 0.01), with over half (50.20%) of underweight children being stunted. The educational level of mothers revealed interesting statistics, with the majority, 686 (52.33%), having received no formal education, and 36 (2.75%) having attained higher education. Although the maternal educational level was not significant at p < 0.05, the stunting rate decreased among children as maternal education increased (27.88% for no education vs. 28.03% for higher education). The wealth quintile index indicated that 331 (25.25%) of the sample were in the poorest quintile, while 186 (14.18%) were in the richest quintile. The stunting rate was also found to be marginally associated with wealth quintile (p = 0.0731), with the richest quintile having the lowest stunting rate (17.09%). Most participants, 903 (68.88%), resided in rural areas. The stunting rate was marginally associated with place of residence (p = 0.0778), with the highest stunting rate among infants reported for mothers living in rural areas (28.12% vs. 22.23% in urban areas). Table 2: Socio-demographic Characteristics of participants and prevalence of stunting. Socio-demographic characteristics Weighted Frequency (N = 1311) percentage (%) no stunting stunting Chi-square p-value Age of child 39.49 < 0.0001 6 - 11 months 458 34.93 82.13 17.87 12 - 17 months 508 38.74 72 28 18 - 23 months 344 26.23 65.02 34.98 Sex of child 14.68 < 0.001 Male 646 49.27 69.04 30.96 Female 665 50.73 78.25 21.75 Birth weight 15.93 < 0.01 Uunderweight 46 3.51 49.8 50.2 Normal weight 905 68.99 73.59 26.41 Overweight 360 27.45 77.04 22.96 Birth order 2.09 0.4665 First 290 22.12 70.68 29.32 2 - 3 511 38.98 73.86 26.14 4 or more 510 38.9 75.29 24.71 Child had fever 0.37 0.6272 No fever 1035 78.93 74.08 25.92 Had fever 275 20.98 72.28 27.72 Had diarrhoea 0.57 0.4611 No diarrhoea 1186 90.45 73.41 26.59 Had diarhoea 124 9.46 76.5 23.5 Maternal age 15.77 0.0398 15-19 123 9.39 71.37 28.63 20-24 331 25.24 74.99 25.01 25-29 344 26.24 68.9 31.1 30-34 235 17.92 71.87 28.13 35-39 197 15.03 82.55 17.45 40-44 62 4.73 72.38 27.62 45-49 20 1.53 88.62 11.38 Marital status 1.58 0.5175 Never in union 169 12.89 77.15 22.85 In union 1106 84.34 73.35 26.65 Divorced/seperated/widowed 36 2.75 68.83 31.17 Parity of woman 1.73 0.7436 1 287 21.89 70.87 29.13 2 272 20.74 73.61 26.39 3 237 18.08 75.07 24.93 4+ 516 39.36 74.72 25.28 Birth interval 4.41 0.3373 8–24 mo 130 12.75 69.13 30.87 25–35 m 264 25.88 73.88 26.12 36–59 m 396 38.82 74.24 25.76 ≥60 mon 229 22.45 78.85 21.15 Maternal education 2.21 0.7003 No education 686 52.33 72.12 27.88 Primary 226 17.24 75.15 24.85 Secondary 362 27.61 75.99 24.01 Higher 36 2.75 71.97 28.03 Maternal occupation 4.78 0.6154 Not work 249 19.03 73.51 26.49 Professional 23 1.74 71.83 28.17 Sales 324 24.75 73.75 26.25 Agriculture 693 52.88 73.22 26.78 Domestic works 5 1.2 91.85 8.15 Manual works 16 0.4 100 0 Wealth index 12.33 0.0731 Poorest 331 25.25 70.34 29.66 Poorer 313 23.87 70.59 29.41 Middle 257 19.61 75.43 24.57 Richer 224 17.09 73.45 26.55 Richest 186 14.18 82.91 17.09 Age at ANC registration 4.8 0.4683 0 (No ANC) 21 1.65 81.9 18.1 <4 months 572 44.82 74.27 25.73 4–5 months 552 43.26 73.39 26.61 6–7 months 113 8.85 73 27 ≥8 months 18 1.41 94.3 5.7 Number of ANC visits 5.85 0.203 No anc 21 1.65 81.9 18.1 < 4 months 181 14.18 73.5 26.5 4 - 8 months 883 69.21 72.75 27.25 9 or more 190 14.89 80.59 19.41 Place of residence 5.15 0.0778 Urban 408 31.12 77.77 22.23 Rural 903 68.88 71.88 28.12 Frequency of listening to radio 0.3 0.64 Not at all 1238 94.42 73.55 26.45 At least once a week 73.12 5.58 76.4 23.6 Frequency of reading newspaper 0.19 0.73 Not at all 778 59.36 73.28 26.72 At least once a week 533 40.64 74.34 25.66 Frequency of watching television 6.67 0.025 Not at all 1019 77.71 72.05 27.95 At least once a week 292 22.29 79.5 20.5 Model Diagnostic The variance inflation factor (VIF) was utilised to examine the multicollinearity of the model. Variables with a VIF of 10 or higher were excluded due to concerns about multicollinearity. As a result, the number of ANC visits was removed from the final model. Supplementary Table 1 presents the VIF of the final model (mean VIF = 2.27). The age of the child was strongly associated with stunting. Compared to infants aged 6–11 months, those aged 12–17 months had 1.81 times higher odds of stunting (95% CI: 1.29–2.52), while children aged 18–24 months had 2.51 times greater odds (95% CI: 1.70–3.73). Female children had significantly lower odds of stunting than males (aOR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.47–0.83). Birth weight played a crucial protective role—children with normal weight had 71% lower odds of stunting (aOR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15–0.58), while overweight infants had 78% lower odds (aOR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.10–0.47) compared to underweight births. Maternal age showed mixed effects. Mothers aged 35–39 years had 52% lower odds of having a stunted child (aOR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.28–0.84) compared to the youngest age group (15–19 years). Other age groups showed no significant differences. Wealth status was protective, with children from the richest households having 53% lower odds of stunting (aOR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26–0.87) compared to the poorest. Middle and richer wealth quintiles showed non-significant trends toward a reduced risk. Television exposure, which may proxy media access or household resources, was not significantly associated with stunting after adjustment (aOR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.59–1.35). Variables such as complementary feeding, meal frequency, breastfeeding practices, and place of residence were included in the analysis but did not show statistically significant associations with stunting in the adjusted model. This is shown in Table 3. Table 3: Logistic regression model on predictors of stunting Variables cOR (95% CI) aOR (95% CI) Age appropriate complementary feeding No Ref Yes 0.65 (0.37 – 1.14) Minimum meal frequency No Ref Yes 0.77 (0.57 – 1.03) Age appropriate breastfeeding No Ref Yes 0.86 (0.63 – 1.17) Age of child 6 - 11 months Ref Ref 12 - 17 months 1.79 (1.28 – 2.49) ** 1.81 (1.29 – 2.52) ** 18 - 23 months 2.47 (1.69 – 3.63) *** 2.51 (1.70 – 3.73) *** Sex of child Male Ref Ref Female 0.62 (0.47 – 0.82) ** 0.62 (0.47 – 0.83) ** Birth weight Underweight Ref Ref Normal weight 0.36 (0.18 – 0.69) ** 0.29 (0.15 – 0.58) *** Overweight 0.30 (0.14 – 0.61) ** 0.22 (0.10 – 0.47) *** Maternal age 15 – 19 Ref Ref 20 – 24 0.83 (0.51 – 1.35) 0.78 (0.47 – 1.28) 25 – 29 1.13 (0.70 – 1.80) 1.08 (0.67 – 1.75) 30 – 34 0.98 (0.57 – 1.66) 0.86 (0.50 – 1.49) 35 – 39 0.53 (0.31 – 0.91) * 0.48 (0.28 – 0.84) * 40 – 44 0.95 (0.46 – 1.98) 0.79 (0.37 – 1.66) 45 – 49 0.32 (0.09 – 1.18) 0.30 (0.08 – 1.12) Wealth index Poorest Ref Ref Poorer 0.99 (0.66 – 1.48) 1.04 (0.68 – 1.59) Middle 0.77 (0.53 – 1.12) 0.73 (0.50 – 1.07) Richer 0.86 (0.54 – 1.36) 0.88 (0.54 – 1.44) Richest 0.49 (0.29 – 0.82) ** 0.47 (0.26 – 0.87) * Place of residence Urban Ref Rural 1.37 (0.96 – 1.94) Television exposure Not at all Ref Ref At least once a week 0.66 (0.46 – 0.95) * 0.89 (0.59 – 1.35) Discussion This study aimed to assess the prevalence of linear growth faltering and its association with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices among children in Sierra Leone aged 6 to 23 months. The key findings indicate a significant prevalence of stunting, with approximately 26% of children affected. The study identified that common feeding practices, such as age-appropriate complementary feeding, meal frequency, and dietary diversity, were not significant predictors of stunting among infants in Sierra Leone. However, socio-demographic factors, including age, maternal education, wealth index, and maternal BMI, were found to significantly influence the prevalence of stunting. A significant finding of this study is the strong association between age and the prevalence of stunting. As children age, there is a marked increase in stunting, particularly in the 18–23-month age group. This trend is consistent with previous studies highlighting the heightened vulnerability to stunting as children transition from exclusive breastfeeding to complementary feeding [16]. The nutritional adequacy of complementary foods, along with the gradual reduction in breastfeeding, may contribute to the observed growth faltering in this age group[17]. These findings suggest that interventions should optimise complementary feeding practices during the second year of life, ensuring nutritional diversity and adequacy. The gender disparity in stunting observed in this study, with males showing a higher prevalence, is consistent with other research suggesting that male children are more vulnerable to undernutrition. This can be attributed to both biological factors and societal norms that may affect the care and nutritional practices for male children in certain regions. This highlights the need for gender-sensitive approaches in addressing childhood stunting. The wealth index, particularly among mothers in the richest wealth quintile, significantly reduced the risk of stunted outcomes. This could likely be due to better access to healthcare services, nutritious food, and clean water [18]. While common feeding practices, such as appropriate breastfeeding, meal frequency, and dietary diversity, were not significantly associated with stunting in this study, this may be attributed to a lack of resources or maternal knowledge. Although 62% of children were breastfed appropriately, the minimal impact on stunting suggests that the quality and adequacy of breastmilk, in the context of maternal health, may be more crucial than the duration or frequency of breastfeeding alone. These results emphasise the need for targeted interventions that not only promote breastfeeding but also address the nutritional quality of the mother’s diet, particularly for mothers with inadequate dietary status [19]. Strengths and Limitations Strengths One of the major strengths of this study is the utilization of a large, nationally representative dataset Sierra Leone. The data were rigorously collected using standardized protocols, which provide a robust foundation for examining the prevalence and determinants of stunting across diverse contexts. Additionally, the study's use of multivariable logistic regression enabled the identification of key factors influencing stunting while adjusting for potential confounders. This offered a comprehensive view of the factors associated with child nutrition outcomes. Furthermore, the study incorporated a range of child and maternal factors, offering a comprehensive understanding of the variables contributing to stunting. Limitations Despite the strengths of the study, several limitations must be considered. The cross-sectional nature of the research restricts the ability to establish causal relationships between the identified factors and stunting. Although associations were observed between various factors and stunting, the study provides no insight into the temporal sequence of these relationships. Longitudinal studies would be required to better understand causality. Another limitation is the potential for recall bias, particularly concerning maternal and child health data. Since the study relied on self-reported information, there may be inaccuracies in the reporting of feeding practices, maternal health conditions, and childhood illnesses. This could result in an underestimation or overestimation of the true associations between these factors and stunting. Furthermore, the study did not examine the quality of complementary feeding practices in detail, which could provide more nuanced insights into the role of diet in child growth. Future studies should consider a more thorough assessment of dietary diversity and the adequacy of complementary foods in the second year of life to fully capture the dietary factors contributing to stunting. Conclusions This study highlights a significant prevalence of stunting among Sierra Leonean children aged 6–23 months, driven primarily by socio-demographic factors—such as child age, maternal education, wealth, and maternal BMI—rather than solely by infant feeding practices. The findings emphasise the need for multi-sectoral interventions that address both immediate nutritional deficiencies and the underlying structural determinants of malnutrition. Policy implications include strengthening maternal health and education programmes, expanding social protection for low-income families, and implementing workplace policies to support breastfeeding mothers. Programmatically, targeted nutrition-sensitive agriculture, rural healthcare access, and community-based education on optimal complementary feeding are essential. Future research should explore contextual barriers to effective feeding practices and evaluate integrated interventions that combine nutrition, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and poverty reduction to sustainably reduce stunting in Sierra Leone. Declarations Acknowledgements We convey our sincere appreciation to Measure DHS for data availability. Author Contributions Conceptualization - MHK, & AS; Methodology – MHK, & AS; Data Curation: NJ & EEM; Formal analysis – MHK & AS; Writing of Original draft – AS & CJ; Writing review & editing – EEM, & CJ; Supervision & Validation – MHK. Funding No funds were received for this study. Availability of data The data for this research is available for free on the Demographic and Health Survey website: https://dhsprogram.com/Data/ Clinical Trial Number Not applicable Ethical Consideration. The study utilized ICF International's DHS Program, a global survey, and obtained authorization for data access. The DHS website provides an extensive account of methodology and ethical considerations, ensuring data privacy and public access, without explicit individual consent. Consent for Publication Not applicable References Xie W, Jensen SKG, Wade M, Kumar S, Westerlund A, Kakon SH, Haque R, Petri WA. Nelson CA: 2018. Roth DE, Krishna A, Leung M, Shi J, Bassani DG, Barros AJD. Early childhood linear growth faltering in low-income and middle-income countries as a whole-population condition: analysis of 179 Demographic and Health Surveys from 64 countries (1993–2015). Lancet Glob Health. 2017;5(12):e1249–57. Nabwera HM, Fulford AJ, Moore SE, Prentice AM. Growth faltering in rural Gambian children after four decades of interventions: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet Glob Health. 2017;5(2):e208–16. Arthur SS, Nyide B, Soura AB, Kahn K, Weston M, Sankoh O. Tackling malnutrition: a systematic review of 15-year research evidence from INDEPTH health and demographic surveillance systems. Glob Health Action. 2015;8:28298. Moin A, Abedi AJ, Mehnaz S, Agrawal J. Feeding Practices and Its Association with Nutritional Status of under 5 Children - a Cross-Sectional Study in Northern Part of India. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Public Health. 2023. Wickramasinghe VP, Liyanage G, De Silva Weliange S, Walpita YN, Siriwardena I, Partheepan K, Yogeswaran S, Rowel D, Daniel A, Jayawickrama HS, et al. Sri Lanka Child Growth Cohort (SLCGC): a population-based study on growth faltering of children. BMJ Open. 2024;14(10):e088269. Goddard FGB, Hunegnaw BM, Luu J, Haneuse S, Zeleke M, Mohammed Y, Bekele C, Tadesse D, Solomon M, Bekele D, et al. Prevalence, Incidence, and Reversal Pattern of Childhood Stunting From Birth to Age 2 Years in Ethiopia. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(1):e2352856. Goddard FGB, Hunegnaw BM, Luu J, Haneuse S, Zeleke M, Mohammed Y, Bekele C, Tadesse D, Solomon M, Bekele D, et al. Child stunting from birth to age two years. The Birhan Cohort in Ethiopia; 2023. Gateway G. Country Profile On Nutrition. In.; 2024. Miyazaki A, Wong K, Kim R, Matsui M. The association between complementary feeding practice and linear growth faltering among Cambodian children: an analysis of the 2014 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey. J Global Health Rep 2023, 7. Ferdous F, Raqib R, Ahmed S, Faruque A, Chisti MJ, Ekstrom EC, Wagatsuma Y. Early childhood malnutrition trajectory and lung function at preadolescence. Public Health Nutr. 2021;24(5):1009–20. Brander RL, Pavlinac PB, Walson JL, John-Stewart GC, Weaver MR, Faruque ASG, Zaidi AKM, Sur D, Sow SO, Hossain MJ, et al. Determinants of linear growth faltering among children with moderate-to-severe diarrhea in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study. BMC Med. 2019;17(1):214. Tomori C, O'Connor DL, Ververs M, Orta-Aleman D, Paone K, Budhathoki C, Perez-Escamilla R. Critical research gaps in treating growth faltering in infants under 6 months: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024;4(1):e0001860. Malnutrition. [ https://www.who.int/health-topics/malnutrition#tab=tab_1] WHO, UNICEF. Indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices: definitions and measurement methods. In. World Health Organization - Geneva; 2021. Gebreayohanes M, Dessie A. Prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among children 6–59 months of age in pastoralist community, Northeast Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE. 2022;17(2):e0256722. Ashraf I, Bestman PL, Assiri AA, Kamal GM, Uddin J, Luo J, Orayj KM, Ishaqui AA. Status of Inappropriate Complementary Feeding and Its Associated Factors Among Infants of 9–23 Months. Nutrients. 2024;16(24):4379. Lawal SA, Okunlola D, Adegboye O, Isaac A. Mother's education and nutritional status as correlates of child stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight in Nigeria: Evidence from 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. Nutr Health. 2023;30:026010602211463. Carretero-Krug A, Montero-Bravo A, Morais-Moreno C, Puga AM, Samaniego-Vaesken ML, Partearroyo T, Varela-Moreiras G. Nutritional Status of Breastfeeding Mothers and Impact of Diet and Dietary Supplementation: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2024, 16(2). Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Supplementarytable1.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6924661","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":476035963,"identity":"a9e024b7-7b56-4ab5-aaf1-e83c234b22d9","order_by":0,"name":"Munawar Harun Koray","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCRBRIMHAD6QYG0AcZuYGIrQYSDBINoC1GAC1MBKlBYgOwLQwENAiH9387OEXA4s849uHD36cUfEnmr8dqOVHxTacWgzvHDM3ljGQKDY7l5YsueGMQe6Mw4wNjD1nbuPWMiPBTFrCQCJx2xkeM8aHbQa5DUAtzIxt+LSkfwNr2dwD0vLPIHc+IS3yEjlmkh+AWjbwALVsbDDI3UBIi4HMmTJpYCAnzjjDliw545hx7kagloP4/CI/u32b5I+KusT+HuaDH3tq5HLnnT988MGPCjy2HADGHQ+66AGc6kG2NACj7gc+FaNgFIyCUTAKAMqtWKHE1DPJAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Upper West Regional Health Directorate","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Munawar","middleName":"Harun","lastName":"Koray","suffix":""},{"id":476035964,"identity":"5d152c5a-de4e-482e-a723-cc1aeae5687e","order_by":1,"name":"Alieu Sam","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ministry of Health and Sanitation","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Alieu","middleName":"","lastName":"Sam","suffix":""},{"id":476035965,"identity":"50effa4c-764f-4e9b-8f9c-8e3f7b43db81","order_by":2,"name":"Elizabeth Ezekiel Malingumu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Southern Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Elizabeth","middleName":"Ezekiel","lastName":"Malingumu","suffix":""},{"id":476035966,"identity":"3ab54a81-695e-462f-8761-0491f06ea5f8","order_by":3,"name":"Niyibizi Julius","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Rwanda FDA","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Niyibizi","middleName":"","lastName":"Julius","suffix":""},{"id":476035967,"identity":"75c90239-df4a-420f-b530-0b615cf0d265","order_by":4,"name":"Chernor H. Jallow","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Ministry of Health","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Chernor","middleName":"H.","lastName":"Jallow","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-06-18 15:53:17","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6924661/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6924661/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":85817720,"identity":"af2c65f8-396c-45dc-b370-3ad8d0bde9ec","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-02 06:04:01","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":251556,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePrevalence of stunting\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6924661/v1/57b612a0a83cc27da0b39215.png"},{"id":85817724,"identity":"f100d99d-2aaf-44a0-b8d9-01013d23b861","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-02 06:04:01","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1050047,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFeeding practices and their association with LAZ\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6924661/v1/99520bb8ef1bcbde9685b0be.png"},{"id":85817723,"identity":"d0820113-6baf-411e-a5d2-4588734546c4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-02 06:04:01","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":788203,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDistribution of LAZ across age groups\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6924661/v1/b6124b0df7e1a4db6af33b98.png"},{"id":108502107,"identity":"0cc82a05-3c26-49bf-9895-7f45405fe8e6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-05 10:57:08","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1792762,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6924661/v1/ad29bb43-4bdd-4d51-9f3e-ac5d658fbb9b.pdf"},{"id":85817718,"identity":"f45ee8c8-b59a-4f35-8262-e9f1f9af011a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-02 06:04:01","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":19124,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Supplementarytable1.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6924661/v1/b9c14553783bef1fa3b33210.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Feeding Practices and Linear Growth Faltering Among Sierra Leonean Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: A Study Using 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey","fulltext":[{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eOver the years, linear growth faltering in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, remains an understated concern that poses a serious threat to public health. Linear growth faltering refers to the deterioration in length for age Z scores (LAZ), which significantly impacts growth trajectories with far-reaching implications for children's health and cognitive development [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. In Sierra Leone, as well as in many developing countries, this issue is exacerbated by poor feeding practices, socio-economic challenges, and inadequate health resources [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Malnutrition in early childhood has lifelong consequences, including impaired cognitive development, increased susceptibility to infections, and reduced productivity in adulthood. The development and growth of young children under the age of five are significantly influenced by optimal feeding practices [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Globally, malnutrition affects approximately 149.2\u0026nbsp;million children under the age of five, with persistent stunting being a critical problem in many regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa (5). In Africa, around 30% of children are affected by stunting, meaning that more than one in four children struggle with developmental problems due to inadequate nutrition and health care [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. This alarming trend emphasises the urgent need for effective nutrition interventions and policy reforms aimed at alleviating child malnutrition [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe situation appears to be even bleaker in Sierra Leone, with recent surveys showing that nearly 30% of children under five are underdeveloped and approximately 8% suffer from acute malnutrition [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR7\" citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. This is evident in the WHO global report on nutrition, as the country records a high prevalence of stunting (31.3%) and wasting (6.3%) among children under five years of age [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. The report further indicates that stunting rates are lower than the African regional average (30.7%), while wasting rates are slightly higher (6.0%) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are promising, with 54.0% of infants aged 0\u0026ndash;5 months exclusively breastfed, placing Sierra Leone 'on course' for the global target for exclusive breastfeeding [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. However, only 36% of children aged 6\u0026ndash;59 months received iron supplements in the past seven days, and 83% received vitamin A supplements in the last six months, indicating gaps in micronutrient intervention coverage [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. These nutritional deficiencies, particularly during the critical 6\u0026ndash;12-month period, contribute to linear growth faltering, a key indicator of chronic malnutrition. The factors contributing to these malnutrition figures are diverse. Earlier studies reported endemic poverty, common infectious diseases, and inadequate maternal and child health practices, which together hinder adequate nutrient intake and infant growth [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. In addition, infant feeding practices in Sierra Leone are characterised by reliance on inadequate complementary foods after the first few months of exclusive breastfeeding. This mismanagement of solid food introduction compromises the positive growth outcomes expected from early breastfeeding [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLinear growth retardation is closely linked to feeding practices and nutritional choices in the first two years of life. Studies have shown that inappropriate complementary feeding practices can increase the risk of growth retardation in children [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. In a similar vein, Nabwera et al. point out the complexity of this public health dilemma in their study \u0026ldquo;connecting growth faltering with environmental factors, infectious diseases, and socio-economic status\u0026rdquo; [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. The timing and appropriateness of complementary feeding are still factors that contribute to the growth status of children. Numerous studies from various countries have found associations between the early introduction of solid foods and later growth outcomes, providing further support for tailored breastfeeding and weaning education [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite extensive research addressing growth retardation globally, there are gaps in the literature regarding the lack of such a study in Sierra Leone, particularly using nationally representative data on feeding practices and their association with linear growth retardation in Sierra Leonean children aged 6 to 12 months. This study provides empirical data to inform local nutrition interventions and policies aimed at optimising child growth in Sierra Leone and other low- and middle-income countries in Africa.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy Setting and Study Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe demographic and health surveys (DHS) are household surveys conducted every five years across low- and middle-income countries worldwide. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design used by the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey (SLDHS) programme. Sierra Leone is organised into provinces, which are subdivided into districts, then into census wards, and further into sections. For the 2015 Census, each locality was divided into census enumeration areas (EAs), which were used as the primary sampling units (PSUs) in the 2019 SLDHS. The census provided a list of EAs, classified as either urban or rural, resulting in a total of 31 sampling strata to assist in estimating the number of households for the survey.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the first stage, 578 enumeration areas (EAs) were selected using probability proportional to size, determined by the number of households. A household listing was then carried out in these EAs. In the second stage, 24 households were systematically chosen from each EA, resulting in a total of around 13,872 households. The selection was done using a computerized system to maintain randomness, and no substitutions or alterations to the selected households were permitted to prevent bias.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy Population\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe population of the study, as referenced by the DHS design for diet diversity data collection, involved mothers aged 15 to 49 years who were living with their youngest children at the time of the survey. The inclusion criteria for the 2019 SLDH included a random sample of two-thirds of the children, as set out in the child anthropometric module of the DHS. This study's analysis was limited to the youngest children aged 6 to 23 months living with their mothers in each household, whose anthropometric measurements were taken at the time of the 2019 DHS survey. A total of 1,343 mothers and children were included in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Source and Data Collection\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data for this study were obtained from the KR datafile in the 2019 SLDHS. The KR file contains data on children under the age of five years preceding the survey and their mothers. This includes data on child health (e.g. vaccination history, diarrhoea, fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI), breastfeeding and nutrition, birth history, maternal and child care, and anthropometry (height/weight).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy Variables\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eOutcome variables\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLength for age Z -score (LAZ) which refers to the measure of linear growth faltering in younger children was the primary outcome of this study. In line with WHO child growth standard, the Z-score was calculated using age, sex, and length for each child. The length of children age 6\u0026ndash;23 months was measured using the SECA measuring board with a laying down position. This variable was recoded to stunting (code\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1) and no stunting (code\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0) using the WHO. Children with LAZ \u0026lt; -2 were categorized as stunted and those with LAZ \u0026ge; -2 classified as not stunted [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eExposure variables\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe primary exposure of this study was age-appropriate complementary feeding. In this study, the WHO three infants and young child feeding indicators was used as a measure to arrive at the minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity, and age-appropriate breastfeeding.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe three indicators above were determined following the definitions by WHO and UNICEF [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] as shown below.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMinimum dietary diversity\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMinimum dietary diversity is achieved through the consumptions of food items categorized into seven food group, namely; grains, roots, and tubers, flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry, and liver/organ meats), legumes and nuts, dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese), grains, roots, and tubers, egg\u0026rsquo;s, fruits rich in vitamin-A and vegetables. Consumptions of at least four of the above food group were classified as meeting dietary diversity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMinimum meal frequency\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMinimum meal frequency refers to the least amount and frequency of meal consumed per child in a day. These foods include solids, semisolids, or soft foods, and the rate of the consumptions and requirement to meeting the minimum meal frequency varied according to the ages of the children. For breast feeding children aged 6\u0026ndash;8 month to be considered meeting this target, they should be fed at least twice a day with the above foods, and at least three thrice a day for children aged 9\u0026ndash;23 months. For the non- breastfeeding children within the age of 6\u0026ndash;23 months, they are considered to meeting the minimum meal frequency if they consumed solid, semisolid or soft food at least four times a day.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAge-appropriate breastfeeding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge-appropriate breastfeeding refers to the provision of breast milk, in addition to solid, semisolid, or soft foods to children within the age of 6\u0026ndash;23 months old the preceding day or night of the survey. The variables were defined based on the data on current breastfeeding practice or the exact liquid and food groups available for consumption to the child and its frequency preceding the day before the survey.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCovariates\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe covariate used in the analysis of this study was the probable risk factors for lineal growth faltering in children, mother and household. These includes type of birth, sex, birth weight, recent history of illness of the child, body mass index of the mother, wealth index, educational background and place of residence.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to measure the complementary feeding practice among children 6\u0026ndash;12 months, and also to determine the association between age-appropriate complementary feeding, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practice indicators and lineal growth among Sierra Leonean children.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the WHO IYCF indicators, complementary feeding practices were classified using a binary variable. A descriptive analysis was conducted to assess child feeding practices by age group (6\u0026ndash;9 and 10\u0026ndash;12 years). The association among child feeding practices, other explanatory variables, and length-for-age Z-scores was analysed using Pearson\u0026rsquo;s chi-square test. Variables significant at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.25 with a 95% confidence interval were included in a multivariable logistic regression. A binary logistic regression was conducted to determine the crude odds ratio (cOR). Variables significant at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 in the binary logistic regression were included in the subsequent multivariable logistic regression.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eModel Diagnostics\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) was used to assess multicollinearity among the independent variables selected after a chi-square test to ensure the model\u0026rsquo;s validity (34). VIF values more than 10 are often considered as a show of multicollinearity (35\u0026ndash;37). gen wt\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;v005/1000000. svyset v021 [pweight\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;wt], strata(v023). The \u0026ldquo;svy\u0026rdquo; command was used with the typical commands for weighted analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study used the DHS secondary database, which is publicly available, implying that there was no need for ethical clearance. \u0026nbsp;Comprehensive information on the methodology and ethical considerations can be found on the DHS website https://www.dhsprogram.com/Data/. This study did not need ethical approval and consent from participants because the DHS program provided no personal identifier or link.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eFigure 1 shows a boxplot illustrating the distribution of LAZ among children categorised as stunted (LAZ \u0026lt; \u0026ndash;2) or not stunted (LAZ \u0026ge; \u0026ndash;2), based on WHO growth standards. Approximately 26% of children are classified as stunted (mean LAZ: \u0026ndash;2.94 \u0026plusmn; 0.89).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross age groups, LAZ declines with increasing age, with the highest prevalence of stunting (35.0%) observed among children aged 18\u0026ndash;23 months, followed by 12\u0026ndash;17 months (28.0%) and 6\u0026ndash;11 months (17.9%). Statistical comparisons between groups (all p \u0026lt; 0.001) indicate significant differences in LAZ distributions by age. This is shown in Figure 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1 displays feeding practices and the ages of children. The proportion of children meeting the minimum meal frequency ranged from 25.7% (12\u0026ndash;17 months) to 44.3% (18\u0026ndash;23 months), with an overall prevalence of 30.8% (95% CI: 28.1\u0026ndash;33.6). Minimum dietary diversity was lowest among infants aged 6\u0026ndash;11 months (12.9%; 95% CI: 10.0\u0026ndash;16.5) and highest in the 12\u0026ndash;17 month group (32.7%; 95% CI: 28.3\u0026ndash;37.4), yielding a total prevalence of 23.2% (95% CI: 20.8\u0026ndash;25.8). Age-appropriate breastfeeding was most prevalent among children aged 12\u0026ndash;17 months (74.4%) but least common among those aged 18\u0026ndash;23 months (35.4%), resulting in a total prevalence of 62.1% (95% CI: 59.1\u0026ndash;65.1). The prevalence of age-appropriate complementary feeding, a composite indicator, remained low across all age groups, ranging from 3.0% to 9.1%, with an overall prevalence of only 5.9% (95% CI: 4.7\u0026ndash;7.4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study found no significant link between common feeding practices and stunting. Most children (62%) were breastfed appropriately; however, this did not reveal a significant difference (p = 0.31) in stunting rates compared to those who were not breastfed properly (26% vs 28%). Likewise, whether children met meal frequency requirements (69% did not) or dietary diversity standards (77% did not) made no statistically meaningful difference in stunting levels (p-values \u0026gt; 0.05). Even age-appropriate complementary feeding, which was rare (occurring in only 6% of children), showed minimal impact on stunting rates. This is presented in Table 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LAZ distribution appears slightly right-shifted for children who met the criterion for age-appropriate complementary feeding. The prevalence of stunting was 19.3% among those who met the criterion, versus 26.7% among those who did not (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2; = 1.72, p = 0.189) (Panel A). The LAZ distributions for children who did and did not meet the criterion for minimum dietary diversity are almost identical, with stunting prevalence virtually the same in both groups (26.1% vs. 26.8%; \u0026chi;\u0026sup2; = 0.02, p = 0.878) (Panel B). A modest rightward shift in the LAZ distribution is evident among those who met the criterion for minimum meal frequency, accompanied by a lower stunting prevalence compared to those who did not meet the criterion (22.8% vs. 27.8%; \u0026chi;\u0026sup2; = 3.33, p = 0.0682) (Panel C). Regarding age-appropriate breastfeeding, similar LAZ distributions are observed across groups, with slightly lower stunting among those who met the criterion (25.1% vs. 28.2%; \u0026chi;\u0026sup2; = 1.29, p = 0.255) (Panel D). This is presented in Figure 3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1: Children who met feeding practice criteria and their age groups\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"972\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding practices\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 180px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6 - 11 months (N = 458)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 208px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12 - 17 months (N = 509)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18 - 23 months (N = 344)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 188px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6 - 23 months (N = 1311)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003en (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95%CI\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003en (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 124px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95%CI\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003en (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95%CI\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003en (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95%CI\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMinimum meal frequency\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(34.5 - 44.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 124px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(21.7 - 30.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(30.2 - 32.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(28.1 - 33.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMinimum dietary diversity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(10.0 - 16.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 124px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(28.3 - 37.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(18.7 - 28.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(20.8 - 25.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge-appropriate breastfeeding\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(63.6 - 73.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 124px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(69.8 - 78.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(30.1 - 41.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(59.1 - 65.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 198px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge-appropriate complementary feeding\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 95px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(3.0 - 6.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 124px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(6.8 - 12.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 114px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(1.6 - 5.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(4.7 - 7.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocio-Demographic characteristics and their Association with Stunting\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample comprised 458 (34.93%) children aged 6-11 months, while children aged 12-17 months accounted for 508 (38.74%). The prevalence of stunting significantly increased with age (17.87%, 28.00%, and 34.98%, respectively; p \u0026lt; 0.0001). The findings also indicated that gender was significantly associated with stunting (p \u0026lt; 0.001), with a higher proportion of males (30.96%) being stunted. Among the infants, 46 (3.51%) were underweight, and 360 (27.45%) were classified as overweight. Stunting varied significantly across weight groups (p \u0026lt; 0.01), with over half (50.20%) of underweight children being stunted.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe educational level of mothers revealed interesting statistics, with the majority, 686 (52.33%), having received no formal education, and 36 (2.75%) having attained higher education. Although the maternal educational level was not significant at p \u0026lt; 0.05, the stunting rate decreased among children as maternal education increased (27.88% for no education vs. 28.03% for higher education).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wealth quintile index indicated that 331 (25.25%) of the sample were in the poorest quintile, while 186 (14.18%) were in the richest quintile. The stunting rate was also found to be marginally associated with wealth quintile (p = 0.0731), with the richest quintile having the lowest stunting rate (17.09%).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost participants, 903 (68.88%), resided in rural areas. The stunting rate was marginally associated with place of residence (p = 0.0778), with the highest stunting rate among infants reported for mothers living in rural areas (28.12% vs. 22.23% in urban areas).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2: Socio-demographic Characteristics of participants and prevalence of stunting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"869\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeighted Frequency (N = 1311)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epercentage (%)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eno stunting\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003estunting\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChi-square\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ep-value\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge of child\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026lt; 0.0001\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 - 11 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e458\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 - 17 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e508\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 - 23 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e344\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex of child\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026lt; 0.001\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e646\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49.27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.04\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e665\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBirth weight\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUunderweight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNormal weight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e905\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOverweight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e360\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.04\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBirth order\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4665\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFirst\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e290\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.32\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 - 3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e511\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.86\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 or more\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e510\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChild had fever\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.6272\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo fever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1035\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHad fever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e275\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHad diarrhoea\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4611\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo diarrhoea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1186\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e90.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHad diarhoea\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e124\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.46\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaternal age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.0398\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15-19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e123\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20-24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e331\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.01\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25-29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e344\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30-34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e235\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35-39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e197\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82.55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40-44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72.38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45-49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e88.62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarital status\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.58\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5175\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever in union\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e169\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn union\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1106\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e84.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDivorced/seperated/widowed\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParity of woman\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7436\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e287\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e272\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e237\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.07\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4+\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e516\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBirth interval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3373\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8\u0026ndash;24 mo\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25\u0026ndash;35 m\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e264\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u0026ndash;59 m\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e396\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e38.82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.76\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;60 mon\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e229\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaternal education\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7003\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNo education\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e686\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e52.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e226\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSecondary\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e362\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.99\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.01\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHigher\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.97\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaternal occupation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.6154\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot work\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e249\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eProfessional\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.17\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSales\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e324\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAgriculture\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e693\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e52.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.22\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDomestic works\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e91.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eManual works\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWealth index\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0731\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoorest\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e331\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.66\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoorer\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e313\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e70.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMiddle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e257\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRicher\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e224\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRichest\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e186\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e82.91\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.09\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge at ANC registration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4683\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0 (No ANC)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;4 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e572\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;5 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e552\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43.26\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6\u0026ndash;7 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e113\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;8 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e94.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of ANC visits\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.85\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.203\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo anc\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt; 4 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e181\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4 - 8 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e883\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9 or more\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e190\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80.59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace of residence\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.15\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.0778\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUrban\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e408\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRural\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e903\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency of listening to radio\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1238\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e94.42\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.58\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency of reading newspaper\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e778\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e59.36\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e73.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e533\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.66\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency of watching television\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.67\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.025\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1019\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e77.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e72.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 236px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 161px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e292\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 104px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e79.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 91px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 81px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 84px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Diagnostic\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe variance inflation factor (VIF) was utilised to examine the multicollinearity of the model. Variables with a VIF of 10 or higher were excluded due to concerns about multicollinearity. As a result, the number of ANC visits was removed from the final model. Supplementary Table 1 presents the VIF of the final model (mean VIF = 2.27). \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe age of the child was strongly associated with stunting. Compared to infants aged 6\u0026ndash;11 months, those aged 12\u0026ndash;17 months had 1.81 times higher odds of stunting (95% CI: 1.29\u0026ndash;2.52), while children aged 18\u0026ndash;24 months had 2.51 times greater odds (95% CI: 1.70\u0026ndash;3.73). Female children had significantly lower odds of stunting than males (aOR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.47\u0026ndash;0.83). Birth weight played a crucial protective role\u0026mdash;children with normal weight had 71% lower odds of stunting (aOR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15\u0026ndash;0.58), while overweight infants had 78% lower odds (aOR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.10\u0026ndash;0.47) compared to underweight births. Maternal age showed mixed effects. Mothers aged 35\u0026ndash;39 years had 52% lower odds of having a stunted child (aOR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.28\u0026ndash;0.84) compared to the youngest age group (15\u0026ndash;19 years). Other age groups showed no significant differences. Wealth status was protective, with children from the richest households having 53% lower odds of stunting (aOR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26\u0026ndash;0.87) compared to the poorest. Middle and richer wealth quintiles showed non-significant trends toward a reduced risk. Television exposure, which may proxy media access or household resources, was not significantly associated with stunting after adjustment (aOR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.59\u0026ndash;1.35). Variables such as complementary feeding, meal frequency, breastfeeding practices, and place of residence were included in the analysis but did not show statistically significant associations with stunting in the adjusted model. This is shown in Table 3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 3: Logistic regression model on predictors of stunting\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"824\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecOR (95% CI)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eaOR (95% CI)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 535px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge appropriate complementary feeding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.65 (0.37 \u0026ndash; 1.14)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum meal frequency\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.77 (0.57 \u0026ndash; 1.03)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge appropriate breastfeeding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.86 (0.63 \u0026ndash; 1.17)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge of child\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 - 11 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12 - 17 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.79 (1.28 \u0026ndash; 2.49) **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.81 (1.29 \u0026ndash; 2.52) **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18 - 23 months\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.47 (1.69 \u0026ndash; 3.63) ***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.51 (1.70 \u0026ndash; 3.73) ***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex of child\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.62 (0.47 \u0026ndash; 0.82) **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.62 (0.47 \u0026ndash; 0.83) **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBirth weight\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnderweight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNormal weight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.36 (0.18 \u0026ndash; 0.69) **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.29 (0.15 \u0026ndash; 0.58) ***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOverweight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.30 (0.14 \u0026ndash; 0.61) **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.22 (0.10 \u0026ndash; 0.47) ***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaternal age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15 \u0026ndash; 19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20 \u0026ndash; 24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.83 (0.51 \u0026ndash; 1.35)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.78 (0.47 \u0026ndash; 1.28)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 \u0026ndash; 29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.13 (0.70 \u0026ndash; 1.80)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.08 (0.67 \u0026ndash; 1.75)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30 \u0026ndash; 34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.98 (0.57 \u0026ndash; 1.66)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.86 (0.50 \u0026ndash; 1.49)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35 \u0026ndash; 39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.53 (0.31 \u0026ndash; 0.91) *\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.48 (0.28 \u0026ndash; 0.84) *\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40 \u0026ndash; 44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.95 (0.46 \u0026ndash; 1.98)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.79 (0.37 \u0026ndash; 1.66)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45 \u0026ndash; 49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.32 (0.09 \u0026ndash; 1.18)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.30 (0.08 \u0026ndash; 1.12)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWealth index\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoorest\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePoorer\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.99 (0.66 \u0026ndash; 1.48)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.04 (0.68 \u0026ndash; 1.59)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMiddle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.77 (0.53 \u0026ndash; 1.12)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.73 (0.50 \u0026ndash; 1.07)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRicher\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.86 (0.54 \u0026ndash; 1.36)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.88 (0.54 \u0026ndash; 1.44)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRichest\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.49 (0.29 \u0026ndash; 0.82) **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.47 (0.26 \u0026ndash; 0.87) *\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace of residence\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUrban\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRural\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.37 (0.96 \u0026ndash; 1.94)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTelevision exposure\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNot at all\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRef\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 245px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAt least once a week\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.66 (0.46 \u0026ndash; 0.95) *\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 289px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.89 (0.59 \u0026ndash; 1.35)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of linear growth faltering and its association with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices among children in Sierra Leone aged 6 to 23 months. The key findings indicate a significant prevalence of stunting, with approximately 26% of children affected. The study identified that common feeding practices, such as age-appropriate complementary feeding, meal frequency, and dietary diversity, were not significant predictors of stunting among infants in Sierra Leone. However, socio-demographic factors, including age, maternal education, wealth index, and maternal BMI, were found to significantly influence the prevalence of stunting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant finding of this study is the strong association between age and the prevalence of stunting. As children age, there is a marked increase in stunting, particularly in the 18–23-month age group. This trend is consistent with previous studies highlighting the heightened vulnerability to stunting as children transition from exclusive breastfeeding to complementary feeding [16]. The nutritional adequacy of complementary foods, along with the gradual reduction in breastfeeding, may contribute to the observed growth faltering in this age group[17]. These findings suggest that interventions should optimise complementary feeding practices during the second year of life, ensuring nutritional diversity and adequacy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gender disparity in stunting observed in this study, with males showing a higher prevalence, is consistent with other research suggesting that male children are more vulnerable to undernutrition. This can be attributed to both biological factors and societal norms that may affect the care and nutritional practices for male children in certain regions. This highlights the need for gender-sensitive approaches in addressing childhood stunting. The wealth index, particularly among mothers in the richest wealth quintile, significantly reduced the risk of stunted outcomes. This could likely be due to better access to healthcare services, nutritious food, and clean water [18].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile common feeding practices, such as appropriate breastfeeding, meal frequency, and dietary diversity, were not significantly associated with stunting in this study, this may be attributed to a lack of resources or maternal knowledge. Although 62% of children were breastfed appropriately, the minimal impact on stunting suggests that the quality and adequacy of breastmilk, in the context of maternal health, may be more crucial than the duration or frequency of breastfeeding alone. These results emphasise the need for targeted interventions that not only promote breastfeeding but also address the nutritional quality of the mother’s diet, particularly for mothers with inadequate dietary status [19].\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n"},{"header":"Strengths and Limitations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrengths\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the major strengths of this study is the utilization of a large, nationally representative dataset Sierra Leone. The data were rigorously collected using standardized protocols, which provide a robust foundation for examining the prevalence and determinants of stunting across diverse contexts. Additionally, the study's use of multivariable logistic regression enabled the identification of key factors influencing stunting while adjusting for potential confounders. This offered a comprehensive view of the factors associated with child nutrition outcomes. Furthermore, the study incorporated a range of child and maternal factors, offering a comprehensive understanding of the variables contributing to stunting.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimitations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite the strengths of the study, several limitations must be considered. The cross-sectional nature of the research restricts the ability to establish causal relationships between the identified factors and stunting. Although associations were observed between various factors and stunting, the study provides no insight into the temporal sequence of these relationships. Longitudinal studies would be required to better understand causality.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnother limitation is the potential for recall bias, particularly concerning maternal and child health data. Since the study relied on self-reported information, there may be inaccuracies in the reporting of feeding practices, maternal health conditions, and childhood illnesses. This could result in an underestimation or overestimation of the true associations between these factors and stunting.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the study did not examine the quality of complementary feeding practices in detail, which could provide more nuanced insights into the role of diet in child growth. Future studies should consider a more thorough assessment of dietary diversity and the adequacy of complementary foods in the second year of life to fully capture the dietary factors contributing to stunting.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study highlights a significant prevalence of stunting among Sierra Leonean children aged 6–23 months, driven primarily by socio-demographic factors—such as child age, maternal education, wealth, and maternal BMI—rather than solely by infant feeding practices. The findings emphasise the need for multi-sectoral interventions that address both immediate nutritional deficiencies and the underlying structural determinants of malnutrition. Policy implications include strengthening maternal health and education programmes, expanding social protection for low-income families, and implementing workplace policies to support breastfeeding mothers. Programmatically, targeted nutrition-sensitive agriculture, rural healthcare access, and community-based education on optimal complementary feeding are essential. Future research should explore contextual barriers to effective feeding practices and evaluate integrated interventions that combine nutrition, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), and poverty reduction to sustainably reduce stunting in Sierra Leone.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe convey our sincere appreciation to Measure DHS for data availability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConceptualization - MHK, \u0026amp; AS; Methodology \u0026ndash; MHK, \u0026amp; AS; Data Curation: NJ \u0026amp; EEM; Formal analysis \u0026ndash; MHK \u0026amp; AS; Writing of Original draft \u0026ndash; AS \u0026amp; CJ; Writing review \u0026amp; editing \u0026ndash; EEM, \u0026amp; CJ; Supervision \u0026amp; Validation \u0026ndash; MHK.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo funds were received for this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data for this research is available for free on the Demographic and Health Survey website: https://dhsprogram.com/Data/\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinical Trial Number\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Consideration.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study utilized ICF International\u0026apos;s DHS Program, a global survey, and obtained authorization for data access. The DHS website provides an extensive account of methodology and ethical considerations, ensuring data privacy and public access, without explicit individual consent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXie W, Jensen SKG, Wade M, Kumar S, Westerlund A, Kakon SH, Haque R, Petri WA. Nelson CA: 2018.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoth DE, Krishna A, Leung M, Shi J, Bassani DG, Barros AJD. Early childhood linear growth faltering in low-income and middle-income countries as a whole-population condition: analysis of 179 Demographic and Health Surveys from 64 countries (1993\u0026ndash;2015). Lancet Glob Health. 2017;5(12):e1249\u0026ndash;57.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNabwera HM, Fulford AJ, Moore SE, Prentice AM. 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The association between complementary feeding practice and linear growth faltering among Cambodian children: an analysis of the 2014 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey. J Global Health Rep 2023, 7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFerdous F, Raqib R, Ahmed S, Faruque A, Chisti MJ, Ekstrom EC, Wagatsuma Y. Early childhood malnutrition trajectory and lung function at preadolescence. Public Health Nutr. 2021;24(5):1009\u0026ndash;20.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrander RL, Pavlinac PB, Walson JL, John-Stewart GC, Weaver MR, Faruque ASG, Zaidi AKM, Sur D, Sow SO, Hossain MJ, et al. Determinants of linear growth faltering among children with moderate-to-severe diarrhea in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study. BMC Med. 2019;17(1):214.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTomori C, O'Connor DL, Ververs M, Orta-Aleman D, Paone K, Budhathoki C, Perez-Escamilla R. Critical research gaps in treating growth faltering in infants under 6 months: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024;4(1):e0001860.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMalnutrition. [\u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.who.int/health-topics/malnutrition#tab=tab_1]\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.who.int/health-topics/malnutrition#tab=tab_1]\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWHO, UNICEF. Indicators for assessing infant and young child feeding practices: definitions and measurement methods. In. World Health Organization - Geneva; 2021.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGebreayohanes M, Dessie A. Prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among children 6\u0026ndash;59 months of age in pastoralist community, Northeast Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE. 2022;17(2):e0256722.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAshraf I, Bestman PL, Assiri AA, Kamal GM, Uddin J, Luo J, Orayj KM, Ishaqui AA. Status of Inappropriate Complementary Feeding and Its Associated Factors Among Infants of 9\u0026ndash;23 Months. Nutrients. 2024;16(24):4379.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLawal SA, Okunlola D, Adegboye O, Isaac A. Mother's education and nutritional status as correlates of child stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight in Nigeria: Evidence from 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. Nutr Health. 2023;30:026010602211463.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarretero-Krug A, Montero-Bravo A, Morais-Moreno C, Puga AM, Samaniego-Vaesken ML, Partearroyo T, Varela-Moreiras G. Nutritional Status of Breastfeeding Mothers and Impact of Diet and Dietary Supplementation: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2024, 16(2).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"linear growth faltering, Stunting, infant and young child feeding, Sierra Leone, Demographic and Health Survey","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6924661/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6924661/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIntroduction: Linear growth faltering, a strong indicator of chronic undernutrition, is a significant public health concern in Sierra Leone, particularly among children aged 6 to 23 months. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of stunting and its relationship with infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices with nationally representative data of the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethods: Cross-sectional study of 1,343 mothers aged 15-49 years and their youngest children aged 6-23 months. Stunting (length-for-age Z-score \u0026lt; -2 according to WHO criteria) was the primary outcome. Exposures included age-appropriate complementary feeding, meal frequency, dietary diversity, and breastfeeding. Potential predictors were identified using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for covariates (p ≤ 0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResults: The prevalence of stunting was 26%. IYCF practices (breastfeeding, meal frequency, dietary diversity, complementary feeding) showed no significant association with stunting (p \u0026gt; 0.05). Older children (12-17 months: aOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.70-3.62; 18-23 months: aOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 2.22-4.93), male sex (aOR = 0.56 for female, 95% CI: 0.42-0.75) and underweight at birth increased stunting risk. Secondary maternal education (aOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40-0.91), higher wealth (richest: aOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.17-0.92), normal/overweight maternal BMI (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.72; aOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.76), and urban residence (aOR = 3.44 for rural, 95% CI: 1.08-11.00) reduced the odds of stunting risk.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConclusions: Although IYCF practices were not significantly associated with stunting, socio-demographic factors were identified as significant predictors. Child's age, male sex, underweight birth weight and rural residence were associated with higher stunting risk, while maternal education, wealth, and maternal BMI were protective. Targeted interventions that improve maternal nutrition, economic situations, and the rural-urban gap are needed to alleviate stunting in Sierra Leone.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Feeding Practices and Linear Growth Faltering Among Sierra Leonean Children Aged 6 to 23 Months: A Study Using 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-07-02 06:03:57","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6924661/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"f8975878-8c19-4053-8b24-c80654eb60f8","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 2nd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-05T10:56:19+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-07-02 06:03:57","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6924661","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6924661","identity":"rs-6924661","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}