A comparative analysis of determinants of low birth weight and stunting among under-five children of adolescent and non-adolescent mothers using the 2015/16 Tanzania demographic and health survey

Abstract

In Tanzania, adolescent pregnancies increased from 23% to 27% between 2012 and 2015. The rises have been linked to poor birth outcomes, pregnancy complications, childhood malnutrition, and maternal and child deaths. Using data from the 2015 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, this study investigated the factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) and under-five stunting among adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. Data from 13 266 women collected as part of the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey in 2015/2016 were re-analyzed using STATA version 14 software while taking survey design into account. The outcome variables were low birth weight and stunting. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors that contributed to LBW and stunting in children born to adolescent and non-adolescent mothers. After controlling for potential confounders, this study discovered that non-adolescent mothers had a lower risk of having LBW babies than adolescent mothers (AOR = 0.34; 95 per cent CI: 0.22-0.50). Maternal malnutrition (AOR = 2.29; 95 percent CI: 1.43–3.67), divorce, separation, or widowhood (AOR = 1.76; 95 percent CI: 1.24–2.50), and fewer than four antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR = 0.64; 95 percent CI: 0.49–0.83) were all associated with LBW. Stunting in children was not related to maternal age. Maternal high socioeconomic status (AOR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.57-0.84) and maternal obesity or overweight (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64-0.92) were associated with stunting. Stunting was found to be significantly associated with birth weight, gender, and age. Maternal age predicted LBW but not stunting. To reduce poor birth outcomes, a multi-sectoral approach is required to address childhood stunting and teenage pregnancies.