Table 2. Population-Attributable Fractions for Risk Factors Associated With Stunting in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2014-2021.
| Factor | Proportion of exposure, % (95% CI) | Adjusted RR (95% CI) | PAF, % (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child | |||
| Recent diarrheal episodes | |||
| No | 84.9 (84.6 to 85.2) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Yes | 15.1 (14.8 to 15.5) | 1.13 (1.11 to 1.16) | 1.9 (1.6 to 2.4) |
| Dairy products consumption | |||
| No | 84.6 (84.2 to 85.0) | 1.21 (1.17 to 1.25) | 15.1 (12.5 to 17.5) |
| Yes | 15.4 (15.0 to 15.8) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Maternal | |||
| Body mass indexa | |||
| Normal weight | 53.9 (53.3 to 54.4) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Underweight | 7.8 (7.5 to 8.1) | 1.13 (1.10 to 1.16) | 1.0 (0.7 to 1.3) |
| Overweight or obesity | 38.2 (37.5 to 38.9) | 0.80 (0.78 to 0.82) | −8.3 (−0.9 to −7.5) |
| Educational level | |||
| No formal education | 39.4 (38.5 to 40.2) | 1.32 (1.28 to 1.37) | 11.2 (9.7 to 13.0) |
| Primary education | 35.0 (34.4 to 35.6) | 1.25 (1.21 to 1.29) | 8.0 (6.7 to 9. 4) |
| Secondary or higher | 25.6 (25.0 to 26.2) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Antenatal care | |||
| None | 11.1 (10.5 to 11.6) | 1.18 (1.15 to 1.22) | 1.9 (1.6 to 2.5) |
| 1-3 Visits | 34.1 (33.6 to 34.6) | 1.10 (1.07 to 1.12) | 3.3 (2.3 to 4.0) |
| ≥4 Visits | 54.9 (54.2 to 55.5) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Place of birth | |||
| Home | 36.1 (35.2 to 37.0) | 1.06 (1.03 to 1.08) | 2.1 (1.0 to 2.8) |
| Health facility | 63.9 (63.0 to 64.8) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Household | |||
| Wealth index | |||
| Lowest | 44.1 (43.3 to 45.0) | 1.13 (1.10 to 1.16) | 5.4 (4.2 to 6.7) |
| Middle | 20.0 (19.5 to 20.4) | 1.10 (1.07 to 1.12) | 2.0 (1.4 to 2.4) |
| Highest | 35.9 (35.1 to 36.8) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Type of toilet system | |||
| Not improved | 55.0 (54.1 to 55.9) | 1.02 (1.00 to 1.04) | 1.1 (0.0 to 2.2) |
| Improved | 45.6 (44.7 to 46.5) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
| Type of cooking fuel | |||
| Not cleaned | 87.8 (87.2 to 88.4) | 1.12 (1.08 to 1.17) | 9.5 (6.5 to 13.1) |
| Cleaned | 12.2 (11.6 to 12.7) | 1 [Reference] | [Reference] |
Abbreviations: PAF, population-attributable fraction; RR, relative risk.
a
Calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Underweight is defined as less than 18.5; normal weight, 18.5 to 24.9; overweight or obese, 25.0 or greater.