Work

Factors Associated With Composite Anthropometric Failures ( CIAF ) Among Under Five Children in Lesotho: An Insight From the 2023 to 2024 Demographic and Health Survey Data

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Under nutrition is the main cause of child death in developing countries. The Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) combines all three forms of anthropometric failures to assess the nutrition status of children. Thus, the objective of this was to identify factors associated with CIAF of under-five children in Lesotho. A secondary analysis of the Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey 2023-24 was conducted, using the data for 1089 children under the age of 5 years. The CIAF was used to classify children based on stunting, wasting, and underweight. Descriptive summary statistics were computed. A binary logistic regression model was employed to identify predictors of CIAF for under-five children. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was estimated. The prevalence of CIAF in Lesotho was 34.68% (95% CI: 31.76-37.73). Female child 0.54 (AOR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.375, 0.776), age group 24-59 months 2.42 (AOR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.149, 5.109), rich households 0.29 (AOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.151, 0.554), multiple births 12.02 (AOR = 12.02; 95% CI: 1.199, 120.426), rural residence (AOR = 0.56: 95% CI: 0.335, 0.946), living children 3 to 4 were 2.54 (AOR = 2.54; 95% CI: 1.522, 4.226), and larger size at birth were 0.38 (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.211, 0.683) were found to be significantly associated with CIAF. The prevalence of CIAF among children under five in Lesotho was high. Child's age, child's sex, child's type of birth, wealth tercile, residence, number of living children, and child's birth size were found to be significantly associated with CIAF. We suggest that the government adapt CIAF as a metric for assessing children's nutritional status in order to estimate the overall prevalence of malnutrition and strengthening adequate nutrition intervention programs in rural areas. Furthermore, highlighting the factors influencing child CIAF will help inform future policies and programs designed to approach this major problem in Lesotho.

Source: Food Science & Nutrition

DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.71607

Authors: Nigussie Adam Birhan, Denekew Bitew Belay

Institutions: Injibara University, Bahir Dar University, University of Pretoria

Language: English

Topic: Child Nutrition and Water Access

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,630