Rural-urban Disparities in the Nutritional Status of Younger Adolescents in Tanzania.
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Africa faces rapid urbanization, has the second highest population growth rate, makes up one-fifth of the world's youth population, and experiences stagnant rates of undernutrition. These challenges point to the need for country-specific data on rural-urban health disparities to inform development policies. This cross-sectional study examined disparities in body mass index-for-age-and-sex (BAZ) and height-for-age-and-sex z-scores (HAZ) among 1125 adolescents in Tanzania. Rural-urban disparities in nutritional status were significant and gendered. Findings confirm place of residence as a key determinant of BAZ, HAZ, and stunting among adolescents in Tanzania. Targeted gender-sensitive interventions among adolescents, particularly in rural areas, are needed to limit growth faltering and improve health outcomes.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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Detailed Description
Africa faces rapid urbanization, has the second highest population growth rate, makes up one-fifth of the world's youth population, and experiences stagnant rates of undernutrition. These challenges point to the need for country-specific data on rural-urban health disparities to inform development policies. This cross-sectional study examined disparities in body mass index-for-age-and-sex (BAZ) and height-for-age-and-sex z-scores (HAZ) among 1125 adolescents in Tanzania. Pearson's chi-square tested associations between rural/urban residence and undernutrition (BAZ <-2SD), stunting (HAZ <-2SD), anthropometric, socioeconomic, and health indicators. Multivariate linear regression identified predictors of BAZ and HAZ.
Funding: UNICEF/ Tanzania; United States National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH66801).
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Urban Urban adolescents living in Moshi District, Tanzania, who are between 10-14 years of age. |
Other: Cross-sectional study/no intervention
Cross-sectional study/no intervention.
|
| Rural Rural adolescents living in Kilosa District, Tanzania, who are between 10-14 years of age. |
Other: Cross-sectional study/no intervention
Cross-sectional study/no intervention.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Body Mass Index for age and gender z-scores [Two measures collected consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.]
Weight (Kg)/Height (M) squared compared to the WHO growth reference standard
- Height for age and gender z-scores [Two measures collected consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.]
Height in meters for age and gender compared to the WHO growth reference standard
- Undernutrition [Height and weight measures collected twice consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.]
Body Mass Index for age and gender z-scores < -2SD of the WHO growth reference standard
- Stunting [Two measures of height in meters collected consequentially during a 30 minute time frame on the date of survey administration.]
Height (M) for age and gender z-scores < -2SD of the WHO growth reference
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adolescents between 10 and 14 years of age
Exclusion Criteria:
- Adolescents living away from the districts and not physically present at the time of the study
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst | Massachusetts | United States | 01003-9282 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- UNICEF
- Harvard University
- Tufts University
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Lorraine Cordeiro, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- Carlson M, Brennan RT, Earls F. Enhancing adolescent self-efficacy and collective efficacy through public engagement around HIV/AIDS competence: a multilevel, cluster randomized-controlled trial. Soc Sci Med. 2012 Sep;75(6):1078-87. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.04.035. Epub 2012 May 24.
- Cordeiro LS, Wilde PE, Semu H, Levinson FJ. Household food security is inversely associated with undernutrition among adolescents from Kilosa, Tanzania. J Nutr. 2012 Sep;142(9):1741-7. doi: 10.3945/jn.111.155994. Epub 2012 Jul 18.
- 15-008