Measuring the Uptake of Growth Monitoring and Nutrition Promotion among under-5 Children: Findings from the Rwanda Population-Based Study

Abstract

Regular growth monitoring can be used to evaluate the nutritional and physical health of children. Ample evaluation of the reach and quality of nutrition interventions is necessary to increase their effectiveness, but there is little research on improving coverage measurement. The aim of this study was to explore the coverage of growth monitoring, nutrition promotion, and associated factors by Rwandan caregivers of children under the age of five. Data from 2019–2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey with a total of 8092 children under the age of five were used for this study. Prevalence of growth monitoring and nutrition promotion were reported and the factors influencing this were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression model. The prevalence of growth monitoring and nutrition promotion among under-5 children was 33.0% (95%CI: 30.6–35.6%). Older children, caregivers who were native residents, those with a health insurance, in a marital relationship, employed, and residing in rural areas had higher odds to participate in growth monitoring and nutrition promotion compared to their counterparts. Rwanda has a low rate of coverage for growth monitoring and nutrition promotion among children <5 and public health nutrition interventions should prioritize nutritional counseling as well as the availability of growth monitoring and promotion services.

Keywords

• inequality
• growth monitoring
• child health
• nutrition promotion
• malnutrition
• undernutrition