Abstract:
Abstract: Our study aims to examine the disparity of under-5 child stunting prevalence between
urban and rural areas of Tanzania in the past three decades, and to explore factors affecting the
rural–urban disparity. Secondary analyses of Tanzania Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS)
data drawn from 1991–1992, 1996, 1999, 2004–2005, 2009–2010, and 2015–2016 surveys were conducted.
Under-5 child stunting prevalence was calculated separately for rural and urban children
and its decline trends were examined by chi-square tests. Descriptive analyses were used to present
the individual-level, household-level, and societal-level characteristics of children, while multivariable
logistic regression analyses were performed to examine determinants of stunting in rural and
urban areas, respectively. Additive interaction effects were estimated between residence and other
covariates. The results showed that total stunting prevalence was declining in Tanzania, but urban–
rural disparity has widened since the decline was slower in the rural area. No interaction effect
existed between residence and other determinants, and the urban–rural disparity was mainly
caused by the discrepancy of the individual-level and household-level factors between rural and
urban households. As various types of determinants exist, multisector nutritional intervention strategies
are required to address the child stunting problem. Meanwhile, the intervention should focus
on targeting vulnerable children, rather than implementing different policies in rural and urban
areas.
