Determinants of undernutrition prevalence in children aged 0-59 months in sub-Saharan Africa between 2000 and 2015. A report from the World Bank database.

Objective: To determine undernutrition prevalence in 0-59-month-old children and its determinants during the period 2000-2015 in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design: Ecological study of time series prevalence of undernutrition in sub-Saharan Africa assessed from 2000 to 2015.

Setting: Underweight and stunting prevalence from the World Bank database (2000-2015) were analysed. Mixed models were used to estimate prevalence of underweight and stunting. Country-specific undernutrition prevalence variation was estimated and region comparisons were performed. A meta-regression model considering health and socio-economic characteristics at country level was used to explore and estimate the contribution of different undernutrition determinants.

Participants: Countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

Results: During 2000-2015, underweight prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa was heterogeneous, ranging between 7 and 40 %. On the other hand, stunting prevalence ranged between 20 and 60 %. In general, higher rates of underweight and stunting were estimated in Niger (40 %) and Burundi (58 %), respectively; while lowest rates of underweight and stunting were estimated in Swaziland (7 %) and Gabon (21 %). About 1 % undernutrition prevalence reduction per year was estimated across sub-Saharan Africa, which was not statistically significant for all countries. Health and socio-economic determinants were identified as main determinants of underweight and stunting prevalence variability in sub-Saharan Africa.

Conclusions: Undernutrition represents a major public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa and its prevalence reduction during the period 2000-2015 was inconsistent. Improving water accessibility and number of medical doctors along with reducing HIV prevalence and poverty could significantly reduce undernutrition prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.