Effectiveness of Community-Based Nutrition Programs in Reducing Stunting Among Under-Five Children in Rwanda
1
Public Health, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
stunting remains a major public health concern in rwanda, affecting approximately one-third of children under five years of age. it is associated with long-term adverse outcomes such as impaired cognitive development, poor school performance, and reduced economic productivity. community-based nutrition programs have been implemented to address child malnutrition through education, growth monitoring, and promotion of optimal feeding practices. however, evidence on their effectiveness in reducing stunting remains limited. this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of community-based nutrition programs in reducing stunting among under-five children in rwanda.
METHODS:
a cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between january and june 2025 among 600 mothers with children aged 6–59 months from three districts representing different regions of rwanda. data were collected through structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. stunting was defined as height-for-age z-score less than −2 standard deviations based on who standards. children enrolled in community-based nutrition programs were compared to those not enrolled. logistic regression was used to determine the association between program participation and stunting after controlling for potential confounders such as maternal education, household income, and sanitation practices.
RESULTS:
the overall prevalence of stunting was 29.5 percent. children participating in community-based nutrition programs had a significantly lower prevalence of stunting (21.8 percent) compared to non-participants (37.2 percent). after adjusting for confounders, program participation was independently associated with reduced odds of stunting (adjusted odds ratio 0.56, 95 percent confidence interval 0.38–0.82, p=0.003). additional predictors of stunting included low maternal education, household food insecurity, and inadequate sanitation.
CONCLUSIONS:
community-based nutrition programs appear to be effective in reducing stunting among under-five children in rwanda. strengthening and scaling up these interventions, with emphasis on maternal education and household food security, could further accelerate progress toward national nutrition targets and sustainable development goals.
stunting remains a major public health concern in rwanda, affecting approximately one-third of children under five years of age. it is associated with long-term adverse outcomes such as impaired cognitive development, poor school performance, and reduced economic productivity. community-based nutrition programs have been implemented to address child malnutrition through education, growth monitoring, and promotion of optimal feeding practices. however, evidence on their effectiveness in reducing stunting remains limited. this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of community-based nutrition programs in reducing stunting among under-five children in rwanda.
METHODS:
a cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between january and june 2025 among 600 mothers with children aged 6–59 months from three districts representing different regions of rwanda. data were collected through structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. stunting was defined as height-for-age z-score less than −2 standard deviations based on who standards. children enrolled in community-based nutrition programs were compared to those not enrolled. logistic regression was used to determine the association between program participation and stunting after controlling for potential confounders such as maternal education, household income, and sanitation practices.
RESULTS:
the overall prevalence of stunting was 29.5 percent. children participating in community-based nutrition programs had a significantly lower prevalence of stunting (21.8 percent) compared to non-participants (37.2 percent). after adjusting for confounders, program participation was independently associated with reduced odds of stunting (adjusted odds ratio 0.56, 95 percent confidence interval 0.38–0.82, p=0.003). additional predictors of stunting included low maternal education, household food insecurity, and inadequate sanitation.
CONCLUSIONS:
community-based nutrition programs appear to be effective in reducing stunting among under-five children in rwanda. strengthening and scaling up these interventions, with emphasis on maternal education and household food security, could further accelerate progress toward national nutrition targets and sustainable development goals.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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