Investigation of some Factors Affecting Stunting and Wasting among the Under-Five Children in Eastern Mediterranean Region

Background: Stunting and wasting, as two key health indexes in any society, are two major factors in children's physical and mental growth in the future, especially in developing countries. We aimed to investigate some factors affecting stunting and wasting among the under-five children in Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Materials and Methods: The statistical population of the present study consisted of the under-five children suffering from stunting and wasting in the EMR and natural factors from the website of World Meteorological Organization (WMO), based on the secondary data in the period 2005-2016. After that, the maps were extracted using the Geographical Information System (GIS). Finally, for data analysis, the regression, path analysis and cluster analysis techniques were employed in the SPSS Statistical Software (version 23.0). Results: The highest rates of stunting were in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan, whereas Djibouti, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan had the highest rates of wasting. Accordingly, the children's stunting was affected by their wasting (Beta.918), and reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health interventions economic status (Direct Impact= -0.323, R= 0.865, R2= 0.748, ADJR2=0.720, P<0.05). It was also observed that life expectancy at birth (Beta= -0.829, indirect impact= -0.323), average wind speed (Beta= -0.403, Indirect Impact= -0.369), prevalence of anemia in pregnant women (Beta=0.335, Indirect Impact= 0.307), births attended by skilled health personnel (Beta=0.226, Indirect Impact= 0.207), had indirect effects on the wasting of children. Conclusion Based on the results, five variables affected the children's stunting and wasting including reproductive, maternal, economic status, life expectancy at birth, average wind speed, prevalence of anemia in pregnant women, and births attended by skilled health personnel.