JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (Apr 2022)

Influence of Maternal Exposure to Mass Media on Growth Stunting Among Children Under Five: Mediation Analysis Through the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program

  • Shutong Huo,
  • Kai Wang,
  • Zongchao Liu,
  • Yuao Yang,
  • Jia Yi Hee,
  • Qiwei He,
  • Rie Takesue,
  • Kun Tang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2196/33394
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 4
p. e33394

Abstract

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BackgroundThe issue of malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of Congo is severe. Meanwhile, the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene program has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the rates of growth stunting among children. ObjectiveWe aimed to explore the association between maternal exposure to mass media and stunting in children through water, sanitation, and hygiene behaviors. MethodsMediation analysis was conducted using data from the 2018 Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys. ResultsMothers’ exposures to television and the internet in the Democratic Republic of Congo significantly decreases the risk of stunting in children by 5% and 10%, respectively, mediated by household water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and practices. ConclusionsThese findings could inform interventions and policies to reduce the rate of stunting rate children by promoting water, sanitation, and hygiene through mass media, especially through the internet and television.